North East

Welcome to the North East region of Dimensions.

We support over 90 people with learning difficulties throughout the North East of England. Our purpose is to help the people we support to live the life they want, and we believe that people with learning difficulties should be respected, have the same opportunities in life as everyone else, and make their own choices and decisions.

What we do

We provide a wide variety of support services in our region. These include:

Group living services, for people living in shared housing.
Supported Living Services, providing individualised support packages for people living in their own homes.
Outreach services.
Transitional services for young adults aged 16 – 24 years old.
Support services for people deemed to have a challenging reputation.
an In Control pilot scheme, focusing on self-directed support.

We currently provide services in the Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Teesside and Wearside.

How we work

We endeavour to work in a 'person centred' way. This means that we focus on the wants and needs of the person we are supporting, putting them at the centre of what we do. We support people based on what is important to them, and by being more adventurous, creative and willing to do things differently. We apply this to the way we manage our staff too.

We also ensure that the people we support are involved at all levels or personal and organisational decision making. This includes running a Regional Advisory Forum, where the people we support meet to discuss what we do and address any issues they may have.

Harry's story

Harry Following a stroke, Harry moved into one of our group homes which he was not happy in. For a long time, we were reluctant to take the risk of supporting Harry to move into his own flat, even though he was showing signs of increasing independence. It took a while for the penny to drop but when we started to look seriously at Harry's risk assessments and support plans, all of which were saying that he needed to be wrapped in cotton wool, we realised that they saying that Harry could do nothing at all for himself - which was completely untrue.

Harry didn't need two people to support him - he managed very well with one, and didn't need support overnight. He was preparing his own meals, going out to social activities without paid support and was spending time on his own at home. So we supported him to get his own flat, and since then he hasn't looked back. He has regained his independence, he chooses his support when he needs it, and, most recently, has been on his first holiday abroad with no paid support.

What we can do for you

If you have a learning difficulty…
…we will support you to develop a 'person centred' plan, which will be all about your needs and your dreams.
…we can support you in your home, or out and about in your community.
…we'll support you to make friends and have relationships.
…we can support you to get a job if you want one.
…we'll listen to you and help you to be more independent.
…we'll help you to live the life you want.

If you are a relative of a person we support…
…we will involve you in developing your relative's support package and person centred plan.
…we'll keep you informed about what we're doing.

If you want to work for us…
…you'll share our values and beliefs. We'll offer you training and a competitive salary package, as well as the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.

If you're a purchaser…
…we can offer cost-effective and creative support packages.

Check out job vacancies in the North East here.

Contact us

If you'd like to find out more about our services and how we can help you, please contact us:

Dimensions – North East
391 West Road
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
NE15 7PY

Tel: 0191 228 8160
Email: newcastle.office@dimensions-uk.org

Last updated: 20th June 2008 at 08:06:42