Learning Disabilities life experiences

A service user of Viewpoint wrote her own casestudy for the website.  Here is Angela's story in her own words:

Hi there, I'm Angela.  I am supported by Viewpoint.  It is great.  I used to go to another resource centre, but I was really fed up there and didn't enjoy it.  My social worker told me about Turning Point Scotland. 

I was frightened at first, because I did not know anybody there.  I met Catherine and Elaine.  I was nervous but decided to give it a try.  It was great!!  I wished I had done this years before.  Viewpoint got me lots of things to do.  They came with me first, but now I do nearly everything myself.

Now I travel on the bus and on the train.  I can go to Irvine, Troon, Ayr and Kilmarnock by myself.  Staff came with me so I got to know the way.

Angela's typical week 
Now I have got two jobs.  I was dishes in a restaurant and clean the Viewpoint office.  I get paid for this.  I always help at Viewpoint and I helped to get all the stuff for the BBQ in August. 

I meet my friend on a Tuesday in Kilmarnock and we go round the shops.  On a Wednesday I go to the local college and do cookery from around the world.  I can make apple strudel and gingerbread things and spanish omelettes.  On a Thursday I meet my volunteer at Viewpoint and we go to Irvine for coffee and lunch. 

I do something now every day and I never get fed up.  There's always somebody about to talk to me, so long as I do my work when I am talking!

I am on the Make It Happen Committee too and go to Glasgow with my volunteer to the meeting to look at what people want and to see if we can give them money to help them.  Its great and I sometimes get to talk to Netta (Chief Executive).

Turning Point Scotland supported living help me at home now too.  It's a great service and everybody is so helpful to me.  My friend even comes over for dinner now!

My mum is dead now but I wish she could see me, she wouldn't believe the things I can do.  My Aunt Annie says she would be really proud.

For more information on our learning disabilities services please click here.