April 2022
So.. I think I’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Where are the promised photos of Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and Jodie Whittaker. Well I have been on a hiatus hoping to move into Assisted living accommodation with KASBAH (Kent Association Spina bifida Hydrocephalus) to Seabrooke House.
It has been a long process full of mistakes, misinformation from social workers and back and forth phone calls from various important people regarding the what was potential move and the vital topics involved for discussion.
I documented the journey of packing including pictures of the chosen dolls, plushes and figurines to my Instagram, Beinggaby_
What is Seabrooke House
Seabrooke House is an assisted accommodation for those with special needs mentally or physically. It helps individuals like myself to move to a more independent way of living and teaches residents to try and find ways to overcome their obstacles and live independemtly learning new skills so they can do this.
Moving day – May 5th 2022
I had an anxious 24hrs as the dread, fear and separation from my Grandma and Binky the cat really hit home. The move went really well, my room was kitted out with all my favourite things, tv, books, posters, dolls, figurines, plushes and unopened birthday presents
My first bedroom on day 1
For my first week or two it was my job to get to know my fellow housemates and familiarise myself with my new and quite nerve racking surroundings.
After which I started to get involved with daily and weekly chores as part of communal living. each week residents have 2 tasks, The first is on their allotted day to clean the communal kitchen, mop, hoover, clean sinks, stove and hob, kitchen counter sides also empty household rubbish with which I am given support to complete because of my mental health needs. The second is each Thursday for one month housemates have a role to clean certain areas of the accommodations communal spaces. eg. shower room, kitchen, training/ dining areas and lounge. For my first month or so of “monthly task” I cleaned the lounge. by the end of 2022 I changed roles to cleaning the kitchen by which time I decided to combine both my “monthly task” and communal clean” as these were the same task.
July 2022- let’s cook
Each Tuesday one housemate cooks for the rest of the house for our “social meal” and on the 12 July it was my turn. For my cooking I made Slimming World Macaroni Cheese using one of the recipe books I purchased before the move.(for more information on my healthy eating with slimming world see a previous post “my weightloss story Slimming world.)
I had great fun making the meal which everyone enjoyed so much that all plates were cleared
During the month I also began cooking with my keyworker some slimming world and cheeky higher calorie meals (at times) each Thursday after my voluntary work I batch cooked and froze the meals therefore making them easier, cheaper, quicker, healthy and more accessible for me to eat during the week.
You may notice that I have a favourite which is pasta that includes many vegetables, Yum!
September 2022
During this month I moved bedrooms for the second time after a previous resident moved out. Moving rooms was brilliant but very anxiety provoking as I was moving into a room with an en suite which meant from then on I would have another weekly task, cleaning my own bathroom.
Each Tuesday I clean my bedroom and bathroom which at times I find quite overwhelming but I know that if I need to I can ask staff for extra support with this.
November 2022
During this month I began to attend Zumba with my brilliant new found best friends who live in another KASBAH house. The classes are every Friday which I enjoy participating in as I love dancing and seeing my KASBAH friends.
December 2022 – Christmas
During the month. I decided to purchase a multipurpose trundle wheel trolley that I could use to transport cooking ingredients, food shopping and clean and dirty laundry to and from my bedroom.
Also suring this month was my very first Christmas in my new house. I participated in the secret Santa gift giving along with my first Christmas lunch which was all home cooked by the excellent Seabrooke House staff team.
I also bought my own Christmas tree for my room
January 2023
It’s the start of a new year meaning new goals and things to achieve. This year I would like to be travel trained so i can make a journey independently to Canterbury to visit family. I would also like to buy new appliances so I can further my independence skills for my life along with working hard to conquer and overcome my low self esteem and mental ill health. Let’s see what 2023 brings and takes this blog on new adventures with my audience.
BeingGaby 