SUPPORTING older people to live independently is more than just a job for Warrington community social care worker Julie Hooper.
Julie’s dedication to her customers has seen her attain national recognition for her role in reducing social isolation for older people locally.
With one of her Belong at Home customers diagnosed with dementia and aphasia – difficulty in the ability to communicate – Julie’s client had become increasingly isolated from others, eventually becoming fearful going out on her own. Her seclusion was further impacted by Covid-19, with lockdowns leading to friends inevitably drifting away.
By adopting a compassionate and personalised approach for all those whom she supports, Julie was able to rebuild her customer’s life, helping her regain her confidence by facilitating opportunities to create new social connections.
Building a trusting relationship through sharing lunches together and taking trips to the local supermarket to assist with shopping, Julie worked diligently to slowly integrate her client into the Belong Warrington village community. By taking advantage of its varied experiences programme, she accompanied her to enjoy activities in line with her interests, such as its musical therapy sessions with national charity, Nordoff and Robbins.
As time passed, Julie’s client eventually felt confident to choose to move into the village’s onsite apartments, enabling her to continue to live with a degree of independence, with the support of her new friend on her doorstep. Now, she enjoys everything life has to offer, having been helped to overcome the isolation that had previously dominated her life.
Much to Julie’s delight, her incredible work was recognised at this year’s Stars of Social Care Awards where she received high commendation in the Reducing Social Isolation category for her unwavering dedication.
The judges were full of praise, noting: “Julie was able to break down barriers and change people’s perceptions through building an unbreakable trust with her client, who now has the confidence to communicate with new people and is able to live without fear.”
Describing Julie as a ‘true angel’ the client’s family said: “She [Julie] has increased Mum’s confidence so that she can socialise independently. You feel like part of our family. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for Mum. As Mum says: ‘friend’.”
