‘They’re like family’ - Ian’s story
We spoke to Ian about what the support of Leeds Irish Health and Homes means when you no longer live on a parent’s doorstep.
Ian’s mum Maura moved to Leeds in 1985. ‘She was a teacher,’ Ian explains. ‘When she and my dad split up, Mum decided to move to Leeds - her sister lived here, so it made sense.’
Maura is now in her mid-80s, and is fit and active: ‘She’s always been sociable,’ says Ian. ‘And she’s always been involved with the Irish community in Leeds.’ However, last summer Ian received a phone call while he was on his way up to Leeds from his home in London. The caller said Maura had fallen on a bus and broken her hip.
Maura went into a rehabilitation unit for three months, which is when support from Leeds Irish Health and Homes really kicked in. ‘They were bringing her clothes from home, going along to doctors appointments to make sure she heard and understood everything - it was unbelievable, really,’ says Ian. ‘And it was such a reassurance for me.’
Maura’s fall also coincided with a period of ill health for Ian, who had suffered an epileptic-type seizure around the same time. ‘I had to give up my driving licence for nine months, so I couldn’t just hop in the car and drive north. It took a bit more planning with trains, so knowing someone was nearby was a huge weight off my mind.’
LIHH’s support hasn’t just been practical. ‘Having someone there for a chat when she was feeling low or lonely has been invaluable,’ says Ian. And now that Maura’s back home and back on her feet, the support continues. ‘Mum’s hearing isn’t great, so she sometimes feels on the sidelines when she’s with a big group. Leeds Irish Health and Homes has encouraged her to come along to events, but they’ll also meet up one-to-one for a cuppa somewhere or at home. They adapt to meet her needs - it really isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach.’
We love a gathering at LIHH, but there’s always room for a cup of tea and a chat, too - we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ approach
“Having someone there for a chat when she was feeling low or lonely has been invaluable.”
When Maura was admitted to hospital recently, Leeds Irish Health and Homes stayed in touch with Ian to let him know what was happening - and provide reassurance when it turned out to be something relatively minor.
And when Ian travelled to Australia for work, knowing a support worker from Leeds Irish Health and Homes was around to help gave him peace of mind. ‘They thought through every eventuality. They asked about dates, time zones and got my partner’s number just in case.’
Leeds Irish Health & Homes’ way of working, Ian says, feels distinctly Irish. ‘There’s a shared understanding that comes from that cultural connection,’ he says. ‘It’s so personalised it almost takes you a bit by surprise - I mean that in the best possible way. It’s something a lot of organisations have lost.’
Ian says his mum feels the same way. ‘We went out for lunch recently and - it sounds a bit cheesy - but she said, “They’re like family.” And it’s true - they are. We’re so grateful and I’d recommend them to anyone.’
“‘There’s a shared understanding that comes from that cultural connection...it’s so personalised it almost takes you a bit by surprise - I mean that in the best possible way. ”
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