So is reaching his goals with Northcott's support

A quiet and shy exercise enthusiast, So has been an Individual Supports customer at Northcott Taree since 2021. He initially joined the Life Skills service. However during the second wave of COVID-19, his supports were changed to one-on-one Individual Supports. This offered an opportunity for more specific and direct support.

Identifying So’s goals

Due to restrictions, So’s support workers were only able to provide limited choices for activities. Quickly, his team of support workers identified his passion for the outdoors, physical exercise, and being active.

John, So’s support worker says, “He always opted for long walks in the community, including walks along the river, bushwalking, and farmlands to see the animals”.

After lots of consultation, they were able to identify that So’s goal was to improve his health, strength, physique, and community participation.

Helping So achieve his goals

As soon as the relevant restrictions were lifted, his support workers started taking him to the gym. They observed that he always chose the treadmill as his preferred exercise. His support workers shared their thoughts and developed a strategy to help him achieve his goals of building strength and a good physique.

The first step was to encourage So to use other equipment. Gradually, he started to experiment with other equipment in the gym. Over a period of time, So’s confidence in using different machines increased and his support workers, organised the experts at the gym to design personal training program, specifically for him.

So’s confidence soars

So has now become a confident user of the gym equipment. He uses various machines independently with little support worker assistance. He also consistently increases the weights on the machines he uses.

“He has progressed from a shakey unbalanced stance pressing a 5kg bar to a solid stance and back squatting a 20kg bar. Having a set routine provided the perfect framework for a consistent approach to challenge and improve So’s physical goals,’ adds Support Worker, Laurie.

One-on-one supports through Individual Supports has enabled So to build a trusting and professional bond with his support workers. The team worked together to identify and inspire So and learned different strategies to assist him thereby empowering him to achieve his goals.

Feeling connected

So loves his program and knowing what to expect each week. After receiving one-on-one supports, he feels he has been able to work toward achieving his health and well-being goals. He feels more valued, included, and welcomed into the community.

I like the atmosphere of the gym environment and am starting to get a sense of belonging. My support workers always encourage and support me to improve to the next level.

So

The future for So

His support workers have identified that So thrives in one-on-one and small group situations.

“So is a bright intelligent person who has great potential. We are enthusiastic to continue our journey of support. We believe that with continued support, So can become an asset working alongside another staff member in a Forestry position or as a farm hand, ” says John.