autismcornwall

We live in a world dominated by sound. Hearing is said to be one of our primary senses, subconsciously controlling our emotions. The first sound that we hear is our mother's rhythmic heartbeat as we grow in the womb, and from the moment that we are born music can calm and uplift our mood and give meaning to the world around us. It is a powerful tool and one that is increasingly being used to help people with complex needs, such as autism.
Green Light's support workers took part in a two hour demonstration on the merits of music therapy, led by musician and lead therapist with Cornwall Music Therapy (CMT), Robin Bates. Explaining how music can reach out to people, he said : “Music is non verbal. Often people can say more through music than language. It can tap into our raw emotions, allowing us to express ourselves more freely and often with more intensity.”
Robin Bates and Emma Packer who led a music therapy session for Green Light’s support workers at Cardrew.
Having worked for …

The Epilepsy Specialist Nurse, Mike Tripp,  visited Cardrew this week to deliver up-to-date life-saving training to our new teams, passing on the latest skills and techniques to ensure the safety of our residents, many of which are living with and managing epilepsy.
Mike has trained around 200 Green Light staff so far, new employees as well as existing staff undertaking refresher courses, and says the training is vital especially when it comes to supporting vulnerable adults: “There are higher rates of epilepsy among individuals who have autism and a learning disability - around 30 per cent of people with autism have epilepsy. The training is crucial because it not only gives staff the best advice on what to do when someone has a seizure, but also raises general awareness around the condition.”
Mike Tripp, Epilepsy Specialist Nurse, holding a life-size model of the human brain.
The treatment and management of epilepsy has changed throughout the decades. I can recall helping a woman who h…

Green Light is attracting staff from far and wide, with many of our latest employees travelling hundreds of miles to begin a new life by the coast. Thomas Murphy, 30, comes from Bawtry, a beautiful market town in South Yorkshire where he spent eight years working with young adults with autism. Thomas made the 342 mile journey, leaving behind his family and friends, wanting a new challenge and a more outdoor lifestyle. He said: “I liked the idea of being by the sea, I enjoy surfing and fishing and after a recent trip to Cornwall I decided to look for a new job.”
Thomas (Left) and Greg at our training and administration centre in Cardrew, Redruth.
Thomas is now based in Newquay, a popular resort famed for its surfing and home to the annual Boardmasters competition and where he is looking forward to a busy summer exploring its fabulous beaches as well as settling into his new job with Green Light. We are thrilled that Thomas joined us in June and is part way through his training at Cardrew…

A former traffic warden and builder, as well as a keen musician Dean Pascoe brings many talents to his job working as a support worker, especially his sense of humour which is legendary among Green Light’s staff and customers. A daredevil outside of work, having undertaken his advance free-fall skydive class in Bodmin leaping from a plane at 11,000ft, Dean’s strength is his ability to connect with people using his positive approach to life.
‘Shiver me timbers’ Dean, (Left) having fun with the Huthnance team during a Green Light photo shoot.
“When I came to Green Light I had no experience of working within the care sector. I appreciate that they took me on and recognised that I had the right values and respected their ethos of supporting people to lead more fulfilling lives. I’ve worked in all of their homes, except Fairfield, which has given me a lot of variety and different people to work with and support.” Dean is based at Huthnance Park in Nancegollan, a large house set in its own gro…

autismcornwall: Music Therapy: the merits of tapping into our hidd...: Music has been enjoyed by people from different cultures across the globe for thousands of years. The earliest musical instrument, a flute...

Jonathan Beebee is a man on a mission, his aim to demistify and spread the word about Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). He is part of a new generation exploiting social media which has become the favoured tool for millions of people worldwide eager to share their views and opinions unabated, building open networks and giving the ordinary guy on the street a voice.
“I wanted to get more people dancing about PBS,” he said.  A registered learning disability nurse with an MSc in Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviour, Jonathan was inspired by Derek Siver’s infamous dancing boy youtube   (http://goo.gl/py6ND) video which captured the dance of a ‘lone nut’ whose gyrating inspired a large group of spectators to join in.
“I felt like that lone nut, trying to disseminate what PBS is about when it can be grossly misunderstood. It’s not about the leader but gathering like minded people to share their dance. Through social media I discovered I wasn’t such a ‘lone nut’ and others were trying t…

Music has been enjoyed by people from different cultures across the globe for thousands of years. The earliest musical instrument, a flute made from bone, was discovered 35,000 years ago. Rhythmic sounds can have a profound effect on our emotions, evoking sadness, anger, sometimes exuberance, they can also be uplifting and life-affirming.
Music can sooth our weary souls and bring people together as it cuts across language and social barriers. In recent years it is being used to reach out to people with autism, especially those who are non verbal and who are frustrated by their inability to fit into the world around them.
Kyle Coleman, who has autism and is non-verbal has a worldwide following, including the band UB40. He has gone on to release two albums following successful music therapy sessions.
Cornwall Music Therapy has been using instruments and singing to help people of all ages cope with complex issues, with many discovering hidden talents. It’s lead therapist, Robin Bates is sta…

As our recruitment campaign gathers pace we continue to highlight the work of our fantastic front line employees - giving people an inside view of life as a support worker. Today we focus on one of our most dynamic characters, who is based at our home on the picturesque North Cornwall coastline.
Affectionately known as the ‘tornado’ by her colleagues for her energy and ‘can do’ spirit, Dominique Garcia is a senior support worker based at Big Wig in Holywell Bay, near Newquay.  A former finance executive based in London she switched to a life at sea, working as a cruise sales manager, before moving to Cornwall and taking up her post with Green Light.
Corrina and Dominique (R) enjoying the sunshine with Big Wig’s residents.
Having lived in France and Portugal, Dominque is fluent in several languages and believes strong communication is key to her role. She has built a wonderful rapport with the team and residents' at Big Wig where her life experience is proving to be a great asset.
“B…