Malcom is a kind-hearted person who lives at our specialist residential care home, Falcons Rest. He joined us in February 2015. He has a range of support needs, including schizophrenia, mental health difficulties, and learning disabilities. These conditions sometimes make it harder for him to join in with other people or talk about how he feels.
When Malcom first moved to Falcons Rest, he was very quiet and liked to stay in his room. His expert support team recognised that interacting with others and participating in activities would benefit his mental health. Using person-centred support, they searched for ways to support Malcom to get involved!
Everything started to change for Malcom when he was assigned a new key worker, called Agata. Naturally creative, she’s supported Malcom to embrace new interests and discover new passions!
With her help, Malcom discovered creative ways to express his emotions. He’s become more confident, more creative, and more involved around the home. With Agata’s support, Malcom’s tuned into his inner artist and felt the many therapeutic benefits of art-based activities!
Meeting Agata
In 2023, Agata joined our team at Falcons Rest as Malcom’s Key Support Worker. She quickly noticed that Malcom was always in his room and rarely spoke to anyone. Understanding how important social interactions are, she wanted to help him come out of his shell and feel more confident.
Agata also understood that Malcom’s learning disability meant he needed support tailored to meet his needs, likes, and preferences. Using person-centred support, she took the time to learn all about Malcom as an individual. They chatted about what he liked and how he wanted to be supported. She identified that he enjoyed quiet, calm spaces. Immediately, she had the perfect activity that met Malcom’s needs and would help him express himself – art!
Agata knew that doing something creative would help Malcom establish a new way to communicate and empower him with more confidence.
One day, Agata suggested that they go to the home’s activity room. She brought some paints, pens, and paper to Malcom’s table and asked him if he wanted to try doing some art. Malcom was curious, so he gave it a go. To everyone’s surprise, he really enjoyed it!
When I first joined, Malcom was always in his bedroom. Now, he loves to sit in the activity room with everyone and do his arts and crafts. It has helped him a lot.
Agata, Malcom’s key worker
Discovering a love for art
From that moment, everything started to change. Malcom began doing more art with Agata’s help. He tried his hand at painting, colouring, and drawing.
Quickly, these art-based activities gave Malcom a way to communicate his feelings without having to say them out loud.
Before Agata came along, Malcom had never considered himself as artistic. But now he looks forward to every art session. He feels proud of what he creates, and loves showing them to other people. He even decorates the walls of Falcons Rest with his creations!
Art has become a way for Malcom to express who he is. It helps him share his thoughts and feelings in a way that feels safe and comfortable for him.
Through person-centred support, Agata and the rest of Malcom’s support team have got to know him as a person. When they look at his artwork, they instantly understand how he’s feeling. The marks he makes and the colours he chooses are all expressions of his emotions.
Malcom is very reserved, he communicates through his arts and crafts to tell us how he feels. It always boosts his mood!
Francesca Matthews, Service Manager.
Connecting with his sister
Since embracing his inner artist, one of the things Malcom loves most is sending letters and drawings to his sister. They have a close relationship, but don’t get to see each other very often. Through his art, Malcom has found a way to stay close to her.
Our team promote positive relationships and connections with family and friends. Through their specialist learning disability training, they understand the importance of a wider support circle. They knew Malcom cherished his sister and saw his art as a great way to communicate with her!
With their support, he writes letters to her and always includes a drawing or painting. His sister writes back, and his team read the letters to him. They also send lots of photos of Malcom to his sister, especially ones that show him creating magic in his arts and crafts area!
Malcom feels more connected than ever to his sister. Writing to her is something he really looks forward to, and it makes him feel even more loved!
Getting out and about
As Malcom’s confidence grew, Agata encouraged him to take part in other activities. He now visits art galleries and enjoys looking at different styles of artwork. He also goes to his local church, which promotes the quiet, calm environment he prefers but gives him an opportunity to socialise with others.
These activities support Malcom to feel more involved in the world around him. He’s also beginning to enjoy other activities at home. He joins in when Agata puts on puppet shows and takes part in celebrations for holidays. These events are fun and make sure that everyone feels included – Malcom loves seeing other people feel as happy as he does!
The benefits of art
Art is a powerful therapeutic tool for people with a learning disability. It supports them to express themselves when they find it hard to use words.
When Malcom creates art, he doesn’t have to worry about getting it right. There is no wrong way to make art. This helps him feel free and confident. Creating pictures gives him a sense of pride and achievement.
It also helps the team understand Malcom better. By looking at the colours and shapes he uses, they can understand his emotions. Whether he’s feeling over-stimulated, a little worried, or is as happy as he can be, his artwork gives them clues!
This helps them support him in the best way possible. And, for Malcom, it means he feels listened to and understood.
Looking smart, feeling good
Agata has helped Malcom in many other ways too. Not long ago, she took him shopping for some new clothes. They went to Marks and Spencer, where Malcom picked out smart new outfits. He was so happy with what he chose!
Wearing nicer clothes has helped Malcom feel better about himself. He stands a little taller and smiles more often. It’s another small step that’s made a big difference to his confidence. Without Agata’s support and getting Malcom involved in arts and crafts, this isn’t something that Malcom would have felt confident enough to do. Her support has empowered Malcom in many areas of his life and he’s thriving!
The importance of person-centred care
One of the biggest reasons Malcom has come so far is the relationship he has with Agata. Before she joined Falcons Rest, Malcom didn’t connect well with other key workers. Unable to express himself, he didn’t feel understood and kept to himself.
But Agata built a special bond with Malcom. Their personalities instantly clicked. Like her colleagues, she listened to his thoughts and feelings, was patient, compassionate and caring. But the biggest difference was the gift she gave to Malcom – the gift of art!
With Agata’s support, Malcom smiles and talks more. He creates, shares, and dreams. Above all, he can express himself and feels like a valued member of his home.
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