A significant learning disability

Josh Wood has a significant learning disability with associated complex needs which include being registered blind, non-verbal and having epilepsy which causes different seizures that require him to be supervised at all times for his own health and safety. He also uses a wheelchair.

His mum Benita is his main carer but due to the complexity of her son’s needs (he also has sensory processing issues), she has always required professional support for Josh.

In 2020, when Josh turned 18, he progressed from children’s services to adult health and social care services and was referred to Caremark Mansfield & Ashfield via Nottinghamshire County Council.

Benita works through the week (she was inspired to become a Health Care Assistant at a special needs school through her personal experience supporting Josh) and Josh attends a local daycare facility.

Five nights a week, our carers attend to help Benita shower Josh and in addition, we also provide two, two-hour companionship calls through the week and a four-hour companionship call at the weekend.

The companionship calls provide Benita with some respite so she can have valuable time for herself and enable her to jobs like shopping, which can be more difficult when Josh is there due to the size of his wheelchair.

The calls are also really important to Josh as it enables him to spend time with people other than his mum. He is a very sociable young man who is lovely to be around.

Benita says: “Josh loves being outside and visiting places like the Yorkshire Wildlife Park or having lunch at the pub, which is one of his very favourite things.

“It’s a bit more difficult in winter so when the weather’s poor, he likes to snuggle up and ‘watch’ movies (he particularly likes the sound effects on Marvel films) or listen to music.

“His favourite carer is Kelly. She completely adores Josh and vice versa and it’s great to see them together.

“She can now identify one of his seizures before they come on and take the necessary action, so it’s a real comfort to know he is in such great hands with her.

“At 21, Josh doesn’t want his mum with him all the time. He is his own person so the support I get from Caremark helps the both of us.”