Scaling new heights with Abingdon Community Support Service

The sky's the limit for 76 year old Tom Furze, who is back home in Abingdon after attending his first music festival with staff from Oxfordshire County Council's Abingdon Community Support Service (CSS).

Tom's life changed last year. After having a stroke, subsequent seizures led to him being diagnosed with vascular dementia. But since joining Abingdon CSS, Tom has been supported to achieve his life goals, including scaling a climbing wall at this summer's J-Fest in Faringdon.

Tom joined the community support centre in July and said: "I've met up with a lot of new people and it feels like one big family, I feel welcome as soon as I get in the door. I enjoy the singing group and reminiscing about back in the day."

Staff at Abingdon CSS are encouraged to think creatively about how they can support people who use the service, guided by the council's Oxfordshire Way vision to enable residents to live happily and independently within their own communities.

One of Tom's ambitions was to attend a music festival, so when the opportunity to go to the accessible J-Fest in Farringdon came up, the support service's coordinator asked him if he wanted go and he immediately signed up.

As well as enjoying the live music, with the support of his family, Tom decided to tackle the climbing wall, making it all the way to the top. He is already looking forward to next year's event!

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Our community support centres are a vital service for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health concerns and older care needs including dementia.

"Our knowledgeable staff offer person-centred support, listening to the people who use the service, providing real benefits for them and their families. It's great to hear the difference Abingdon CSS is making to Tom's life."

Tom's wife and carer, Jan Furze, said: "Attending Abingdon CSS has given Tom some freedom from me and restarted his social life. It gives me peace of mind to know he is safe and being looked after. It gives us conversation for when he gets home and means I have some time for myself too.

"As well as attending J Fest, Tom also enjoyed a concert at Dorchester Abbey where I was very kindly welcomed alongside him. Tom enjoys chatting to the carers when they go out for tea and visit local garden centres. It's lovely that the carers always ask how I am too. Having access to the centre really has made the world of difference to our lives."

More information about Oxfordshire County Council's seven community support centres can be found on the Live Well Oxfordshire website.

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