Who We Are » LOYO History
Life of Your Own is one response to the challenges of 'Care in the Community', instigated by the Community Care Act, 1988.
Our philosophy and objectives are entirely consistent with the intentions of this legislation, the changes which have followed and with those of the current government.
It is Life of Your Own's policy to concentrate on quality rather than quantity.
Gaining acceptance in this complex environment takes time, effort and patience - attributes which the charity demonstrates in its own work and understands in its external dealings.
In early 1996, Life of Your Own as an organisation came into being as we supported two young men, aged 16 and 18, through a solution to their housing problems. Neither could find appropriate care after many years in institutional settings. Faced with having to move on, they had nowhere safe to go, and extremely high support needs.
Placement officials approached over 15 agencies, but none felt they could offer what was needed. Life of Your Own was created by request, to fill the specific need of these two individuals to establish lives of their own. The need to create a charity to offer this type of friendship was initially disappointing but ultimately deeply rewarding.
We acquired a residential property and created a structured home environment to support the growth and development of these two individuals.
It is satisfying to realise that Carl, one of these young men, has recently been to the USA to present his own story to social workers there - a significant achievement for someone with learning disabilities, previously considered violent and destined to be consigned to a very high support unit. At a recent social services review meeting, friends of Carl described a young man who is finding a gentler side of the world, and of himself - someone considered to be responsible, faithful, loyal, caring, fun and trustworthy.
Later the same year, Life of Your Own was approached to see whether it could participate in the life of another young man.
This relationship with James, which began in 1997, has been more erratic. At first, we undertook part-time care within the family home. James found it difficult to understand and accept the role Life of Your Own plays in his life, questioning the nature of 'real and false' choices for how he wants to live his life - particularly around the issue of violence.
This family care arrangement continues, and our involvement has grown as James is beginning to understand how he can have the capacity to initiate successful relationships.
Life of Your Own was later able to become involved with Margaret who had been known to a member of Life of Your Own at a children's home.
Our work with Margaret has also involved a direct liaison with her family.
The social worker felt that institutional settings were inappropriate in her case, and careful planning of physical spaces in her life has supported her growth in the past few years.
She has learned to care for horses, and riding lessons complete this language of valuing. Margaret is growing in the knowledge that she has a part to play in the household, the wider community, and her family.
A key objective of Life of Your Own has been to support the mainstream schooling of people with disabilities who would otherwise have been excluded.
We have been involved with three children at three different primary schools, and in this way we have acquired direct experience of implementing the government's inclusion policy on schooling.
Work with Toby and Samuel has seen both young men through to secondary school, where they continue as successful learners and have shed their labels. And each day we learn more as our relationship with young Howard develops.
Our history demonstrates a central purpose of Life Of Your Own - the accumulation of knowledge and experience, the dissemination of information, and the encouragement of 'best practice, best value'.
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