On this page Doreen Kelly, Director of Beyond Limits, talks about Beyond Limits consultancy services.
I have been working in health and social care services since the early 1980s.
In that time I have learned two important things:
tailor made is better than off the peg
stay small, emulate big.
Tailor made
Services only work properly when they are designed to ‘fit’ people, taking into account their needs as well as their hopes and ambitions for themselves. If you want to design a service that really works and is truly person centred, you have to learn about the person you are being asked to support. Find out from them and people close to them what they like, what they want to do with their lives, where they want to live, and then plan a service to respond to what they’ve told you. It’s like buying a suit or a dress.
If you go to a tailor you can tell them what colours, style and fabric you like. They listen to what you want, take your measurements and make something that fits well, which you feel comfortable in, and which can, if you wish, last a lifetime. That’s the approach we take to service design. It’s better for the person supported, because they get what they want, and it makes sense financially because the chances of costly placement breakdowns are virtually eliminated.
Stay small, emulate big
In today’s competitive market providers have to find a way of staying small and responsive, while getting the economies of scale of bigger organisations.
Small organisations tend to be less procedure-bound, more flexible and more approachable. This is crucial in social care, because you have to be ready to change how you do things to meet the changing needs and demands of the people you support. Often if an organisation is unable to do this it leads to expensive placement breakdowns, which have both a financial cost and a potentially serious human cost.
Even so, bigger organisations have economies of scale, which can give them more influence and power. Our approach is to get the best of both worlds, by forming networks of small, person-centred organisations that can share functions like finance and HR support, and office premises. So we can stay small and emulate big.
If you are interested in the Beyond Limits approach I am available to talk with you about how you can make it real in your organisation. Please get in touch.
Beyond Limits provides personalised support. Personalised Support means we provide support to people with complex and challenging needs to live their own life, on their own terms.
Personalised support?
Personalised Support was developed in Scotland, in 1996, to provide support to people who were leaving institutions and moving into their own homes. It was and continues to be a radical step forward from the inflexible support often provided by Community Care services.
Doreen Kelly, Director of Beyond Limits established Partners for Inclusion in Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1996. For a detailed account of Partners’ work and history download Personalised Support, a book about Partners by Julia Fitzpatrick.
Partners’ philosophy is to keep the organisation small. This ensures communication between those receiving support, friends, family and staff remains uncomplicated and efficient. When the number of people being supported by Partners got to 40, another organisation, Just Connections was established. This has been followed by other initiatives providing smaller amounts of support and the successful contact and dating project, DM2. Following this Beyond Limits was established.
Doreen set up Beyond Limits in 2011 and left Partners in April 2015 to focus on the work of Beyond Limits in the South West and England. Beyond Limits holds the same values and approach as Partners, providing truly personalised, innovative and creative support with the aim of helping all people leave institutions and enabling them to live full lives in their community.
Being a Support Worker “truly positive and life changing”
This article has been written by Louise Johns who has worked as a support worker for Beyond Limits for just over 3 years.
Before I became a support worker I was a full-time mum committed and dedicated to my family. Throughout the years being a mother, life has been difficult. Two of my children have learning disabilities as well as other medical issues.
As a mother I have had to fight for my daughters’ rights and support and help them to become the people they are today. I made my mind up that I wanted to become a support worker to help others achieve their goals and ambitions. My daughter had people with negative views telling her she wouldn’t be able to achieve the goals that she had set for herself. I am proud to say my daughter has successfully reached her goal and is now working as a child care practitioner.
From my own life experiences, I found that I had a desire and determination to want to help others and Beyond Limits gave me that opportunity. They did not judge me; Beyond limits took a chance on me they gave me training and supported me throughout. It has been really lovely as I felt very at home. I came to realise that Beyond Limits is just one big happy family and I was delighted to be part of the team.
With Beyond Limits I have learnt so much
I have met new friends, and have a better understanding of everything. Every day is very different as a support worker but extremely rewarding at the same time. Making such a significant difference to people’s lives is exceptionally important to me and I love supporting people to enable them to live independently. We support people to enjoy a very active social life and we all come together to discuss future plans, job & career opportunities for those people. It can be very exciting.
Beyond Limits give people great opportunities to progress, ensure that people have relevant training and development opportunities.
Being a support worker and supporting people to find their independence is by far the best job in the world. Seeing people’s faces light up when they talk to me about their day is the most meaningful part of the job for me.
Working with Beyond Limits has been truly positive and life changing.
“You’re the best thing to happen to Lucy and the family, many thanks”.
Zara, Family member
“Being included and listened to is something very special. Your Family Charter does what it says on the tin. Hands up to Beyond Limits for your far reaching views”.
Trisha Searle, Family member
“Beyond Limits is breaking the mould and is brave for writing the Family Charter. The proof of the pudding is that it works. You have given my daughter her life back. Communication is key. Thank you”.
Michelle Beattie, Family member
“My mum always used to worry about me because its not very nice been institutionalised in hospitals because you want to have your own life and your own freedom, my mum isnt worried about me so much at the moment the whole time Ive been with BL my mum stopped worrying and basically Ive got my confidence and independence back”.
Ricky and his team win Best Team in Plymouth 2018!
We are over the moon for Ricky and his team. On Saturday night they won the Team of the Year award 2018. The award was given as part of the Celebrating Excellence in Care Awards, organised by the Quality Assurance and Improvement Team at Plymouth City Council.
Click on the photos to make them larger and read about how it all happened below the photos…
Nomination
It started with the nomination back in August where we dared to start believing that we might have a winning chance. We knew the great work the team was doing but we also knew the competition would be strong and the awards were to be judged by an independent panel, how would we be able to convince them?
However, we knew we had to be “in it to win it” and so we put forward our nomination for Team of the Year for the work that Ricky’s team has been doing with him around the #SofatoSweden trek. We were inspired by the story and we hoped the judges would be too.
Judgement Day
22nd September at the Crowne Plaza the evening was upon us, where should we meet, what should we wear? We did ourselves proud though and everyone had their finest outfits on. Ricky looking sharp in his suit. We started to believe we had a real chance.
The Awards
And so, it was time for the winners to be announced, a lot of worthy winners for each category and it was clear the judges had their work cut out trying to pick just one from each. The anticipation was mounting but then there it was, Beyond Limits were called out, we had won it, Team of the Year Award to Ricky’s team for their inspiring support. A fantastic moment and everyone went up to the stage and the award was presented to Ricky.
Thank You
Thanks to Ricky’s team for the fantastic work they have done and continue to do. Thanks to Ricky’s family for trusting us with the support of Ricky every day. Thanks to the judges from the independent panel for recognising the work of the team and for voting for us.
The Last Word
And finally, the last word from the Director of Beyond Limits, Doreen Kelly, “It continues to be an honour and a privilege to do this work, Ricky’s team have proved what can be done when you dare to dream and have aspirations for someone. The work they do every day to support Ricky to have a meaningful life is incredible, I am so proud of them and delighted they won the award for Team of the Year, they really do deserve it”.
We take your privacy seriously. We do not collect and store any information about you when you browse pages on our website. Visits to our website are ‘anonymous’, which means we cannot tell who anyone is when they visit.
If you choose to contact us using the form on our website or by email. We require you to supply your name, email address and phone number if you want us to contact you by phone. This information is stored securely in accordance with GDPR legislation.
The idea for a trek started at Ricky’s planning day in October 2016, Ricky had been supported by Beyond Limits for a year and things were going well and so we were trying to work out what else could be possible.
Training
Over the next 12 months, Ricky was doing 5km starting at a very slow speed and eventually reaching 5km an hour. At the beginning, there was very slow progression. It was not easy for the team and Ricky’s family to change their expectations of Ricky and feel confident to support him in moving forward with this trek. This created some barriers which hampered Ricky’s progression in the first year. We posted some videos of Ricky training earlier in the year.
Mercy and Ricky on a training walk.
During the second year, Kieran set out a training regime for the team with planned progression leading from 5km to 25km over the year. During this year, the team pulled together and Ricky progressed beyond the team’s expectations training in all conditions; freezing temperatures, snow, ice, hail, rain, and even some very high temperatures. During the training Ricky and his team found themselves suffering with blisters and aching limbs. Despite this, everyone pulled together and persevered with the weekly training treks.
Kieran selected Swedish forests as a location for the trek and Ryan came along and organised the route, travel and accommodation.
The team left for Bristol airport on the 3rd of October at 5am for the flight at 10.30am which took 2 hours to reach Copenhagen. we got off the flight and jumped on our train to Stockholm.
We all went and got the cars. One team took Ricky back to the house, an hour outside of Stockholm to a place called Lilla Vaxtunavagen and the other team went shopping for essentials. Both teams were going to bed around midnight.
Sofa to Sweden Day 1
We left in the cars at 9.30am and started the walk on Roslagsladen trail at 10.30am. To begin with, we were met by a very steep muddy path and from here on-wards, Ricky was leading from the front all day across very difficult terrain. It was certainly a shock to the system for the team who were used to walking on flat tarmac around Burrator Reservoir!
Ricky being guided to walk a difficult forest path.
The team had split into two due to mum Gill suffering from illness and this split was consistent with the remainder of the trek. The team were continually walking for 4 and a half hours until Ricky’s crew were met by the support team (Grandad Dave and Cousin Cath) for lunch at Wira bruk at 3.30pm and the other crew met shortly after.
The first group arrived back to the accommodation at 5.30pm, and the second group at 6.30pm. the team were well looked after by the support group who had prepared dinner for everyone.
Photo of Ricky and his Mum
Mum Gill became ill and retired to bed shortly after dinner. Everyone else followed not long afterwards to get an early night ready for the remainder of the trek the following day.
Sofa to Sweden Day 2
We got up and left about half an hour later than planned. We began walking at 9.30am and made really good time during the first 10km due to the flat tarmacked trail. After this first break at the 10km mark, the trail soon became more complex and slowed the team down quite dramatically to approximately a third of the original pace. At points it was necessary to make a three man chain to help Ricky up steep rock parts of the path.
Day 2 was certainly harder for the team due to sore feet, aching limbs, hunger and the difficult terrain. We met the support team at Bergshamra for lunch, 7km from the end of trek. We were wished well for the last section of the trek and Ricky continued to munch a doughnut once we were back on the walk.
Very sore feet!!
The last section was pretty slow going with lots more forest trail than gravel road but we could feel we were getting very close to the end. 3km from the end, we turned off the Roslagsladen trail and enjoyed a relaxing walk, all of us together in one big group all the way to the house where we were greeted by Gill, Grandad Dave and Cousin Cath taking videos and shouting congratulations. We ate one of the best stews ever, packed up and headed to Stockholm for the 6 and a half hour night train north to Ornskoldsvik.
Sofa to Sweden Day 3
In the morning we went to collect the hire cars and drove another hour north and inland to Bergsjo to our cabins on the lake where we would stay for two nights to live in the wilderness and wait to experience the northern lights.
After Ricky had had a rest we all went into the nearest town to have a coffee and go to the coast. Ricky walked down to the coast and climbed a big rock where we sat and enjoyed some snacks in the sun by the sea.
We then headed back to the cabins and had a Cousin Cath roast together and then spent the evening relaxing for the first time on the trip playing cards and looking up at the clear sky packed with stars.
The team enjoying some refereshments.
The following day we had breakfast together and then went out on the cabins rowing boat and took it all the way to the other side of the lake with Ricky enjoying the water and getting out on the other side where we shouted loud echoing calls back to the other side.
Next we went up to the northern city of Umea to eat together and watch the football. On our way back we stopped along the road to get out of the cars to witness the surreal and majestic northern lights above our heads.
Later at the house we made a fire in the garden and stayed up talking until we each wanted some sleep.
In the morning we sat together and Ricky spent hours smiling, comfy in the house while it rained for the first time on our trip.
Once the rain had stopped Ricky had a wash in the hot Sauna at the bottom of the garden by the lake, something most people had done that day as the house had no running water due to a clogged pump and a dry well.
Now it was time to go back up to Umea to begin the long 18 hour journey back down to Copenhagen for our last meal and night out together. We ate well and went to a local bar where Ricky had been on a previous break where we saw Copenhagen’s answer to the beach boys ducking under oversized hanging beer labels and giant pretzels.
In the morning Ricky, Grandad Dave and Hamish walked down to a café where Ricky had been before so they could have a coffee together down by the canals. Others went to visit the famous little mermaid statue before packing for the last time ready to fly home.
What a trip, lots of sore bodies and sore feet. It really was brilliant that totally exceeded all expectations.
The Celebrating Excellence in Care awards are organised by the Quality Assurance and Improvement Team at Plymouth City Council to showcase and celebrate best practice across adult social care, it is a celebration of all the fantastic work taking place across the sector.
This year Beyond Limits have a nomination in the “Team of the Year” category for the work they have done supporting Ricky with his trek “Sofa to Sweden” Each member of the team has gone above and beyond to make this work for Ricky, even contributing financially to support Ricky in Sweden.
The awards are chosen by an independent panel and we are hoping they will be as inspired as we are and will recognise the hard work that that the team has put in. Taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth on the 22nd September, let’s hope we come away with the award on the night.
Beyond Limits are delighted to be involved in the Proud to Care Festival which is taking place on Wednesday 24th October. We will be at Lemon Quay in Truro City Centre from 10am to 4pm.
There will be loads going on, food and music and free family activities, face painting and a magician.
Beyond Limits will be talking to people about how rewarding a career in social care is and we will be promoting the vacancies we currently have.
Come along and get involved, there will be plenty on offer for everyone and who knows it might just be the start of something amazing.
Alex has been supported by Beyond Limits since August and he is enjoying getting to know his team. He loves to be outdoors and enjoys walking, here he is with one of his team enjoying a day out on the beaches around Holy Island.
Alex is a member of the National Trust and English Heritage and he has a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. When he is not out and about, he enjoys baking and art. He also likes to visit different places for a cuppa and a slice of cake.
Alex with his support Rachel (left).Aaron, Alex and Rachel on the ferry to Holy Island
Ricky is travelling to Sweden in October to embark upon a 50 km Trek, he will be joined by his support team and family.
Since moving into his own home over 2 years ago and being supported by Beyond Limits, Ricky has tried and enjoyed a number of new activities. He regularly goes rock climbing, walking and has recently enjoyed his first festival, Latitude.
Ricky is blind and he previously presented with significant distress because his life was so closed in, since he has started doing more with his time and becoming more active, his distressed behaviour has become a rarity.
Ricky is currently in training for the trek and is gradually increasing the lengths and varying the terrain of his walks. This is a big challenge but Ricky supported by his team and family is doing really well.
Ricky, his support team and family would like to raise money for ‘Blind Sailing’, a registered charity which provides sailing opportunities to Blind and Visually Impaired people with a view to developing sailing and racing skills either just for fun or to take part in National and International Competitions. Maybe sailing will be Ricky’s next adventure!
If you know Ricky, or even if you don’t but you feel inspired by him, please donate by following the link below:
Have you ever considered working as a support worker? Do you think it’s all about strict routines and rushing from one person to another, never having time to get to know a person and what they need? These things are a long way from the full story at Beyond Limits. Our support workers are making a real difference every day to people’s lives and supporting people to achieve their true potential.
We are running a series of events in Plymouth, Cornwall and Somerset to give anyone interested a much better picture of what our support staff do.
New sessions will be announced on this page…
Each event will include:
An introduction by a senior manager One of our managers will talk about our pioneering style of support. We will explain why we are working to change the world for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other needs.
How our support changes lives A person we support will talk about what Beyond Limits support means to them.
Friends and families A family member or friend will talk about the way we work together to make sure the support is right for the person we are support.
What the job is all about A support worker will talk about their role at Beyond Limits, some of their experiences, challenges, what they enjoy and what gives them job satisfaction.
We look after our staff Our HR manager will explain how we look after our staff, our benefits and approach to continuing personal and professional development.
Try before you apply dates
If you are interested in learning more about support work but can’t make the date in your area please get in touch.
Lou spent over 15 years in hospital. In her own words “it wasn’t a home, I had to ask permission for the most basic things like using the toilet or getting changed”.
Beyond Limits started supporting Lou in October 2017 and has slowly started to get her life back. She has been fully involved in recruiting her team of staff and she is enjoying time and space in her own home, the best thing about it she says, is how quiet it is.
Here Lou is with one of her team enjoying some time out at the local bowling alley.
Heather volunteers at St Luke’s charity shop every Monday, she is an avid fundraiser and wanted to show her support for the work that St Luke’s do and so she decided to take part in the Midnight Walk.
The walk took place on Saturday 21st July 2018 and the theme was neon. There were lots of glow sticks and sparkles. Everyone started at the Piazza on Royal Parade, Plymouth and Heather walked 3 miles and raised £100.00 for St Luke’s Hospice, a charity that supports people with end of life care.
Heather dancing not walking and having fun.
Well Done to our very own Heather and everyone else that took part, its great to give something back to others.
Photo of Heather with her medal for completing the Midnight Walk
Louise’s Story is a video produced by NHS England as part of their Transforming Care series.
In the video you hear from Louise, and those who helped make her dream of moving home after spending over 15 years in hospital, a reality.
Louise’s story captures how hospitals are not homes, and Transforming Care is working to change the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism or both, for the better.
This short film explains how health and social care partners planned for and successfully moved Louise into her own home in spite of seemingly insurmountable barriers.
They achieved this through strong partnership working, good communication, flexibility and determination, and the film highlights the impact of these qualities on Louise’s wellbeing, while also celebrating the tenacity and creativity of those seeking to bring her home.
Beyond Limits purchased the property, but importantly, Louise’s tenancy is protected because the house was handed over to a housing association. This means that if Louise wants to change her support provider, she can do so and still remain in her home.
We use cookies to analyse visits to our site. Understanding what people are interested in helps us improve the site, we NEVER share this information. Some embedded third-party content, such as YouTube videos, may use their own cookies which we have no control over.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Back
Top
Personalised Support was developed in Scotland, in 1996, to provide support to people who were leaving institutions and moving into their own homes. It was and continues to be a radical step forward from the inflexible support often provided by Community Care services.
Partners’ philosophy is to keep the organisation small. This ensures communication between those receiving support, friends, family and staff remains uncomplicated and efficient. When the number of people being supported by Partners got to 40, another organisation, Just Connections was established. This has been followed by other initiatives providing smaller amounts of support and the successful contact and dating project, 
