Wirral Independent Living Services Ltd

The aim of Wirral Independent Living Services Ltd (WILS) is to offer support to those men or women between the ages of 21 and 60 who are incapable of looking after themselves at the time they are referred. Reasons may include an alcohol problem or a drug problem or any combination of these.

 

It is evident that there is little support available for individuals living within our community whose lives have become unmanageable due to dependency on either alcohol or drugs, or in some cases both substances.

                   

In most instances dependency of this nature will cause a whole range of life     problems to those affected, almost invariable it strips them of their self-esteem and confidence, dissipates the productivity and health of the individual and causes devastation within families,  relationships and communities.

 

With a dedicated and experienced team of support staff, we endeavour to provide support and assistance to our service users with their day to day activities and help them progress to independent living status within the community

 

 

 

WILS is a private organisation. We offer a range of services aimed at helping people who have experienced problems with drug and/or alcohol misuse or for people who are homeless within the borough of Wirral.

 

WILS has properties within the Wallasey community that can be shared or used for single occupants. 98 King Street is an 8 bed roomed property with a communal lounge, dining area, a bathroom on the first floor and a shower room on the ground floor. 25 Seabank Road house a block of 3 self contained 2 bed roomed flats. Each property can be shared by two people. It has a communal living area with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Each bedroom in every property has a lock to ensure total privacy for each service user. Service users at WILS find their own ways of living together and supporting each other, but they are helped to do this by our support staff who are on site and who offer help if it’s needed. Support workers offer support and time in order to aid your return to independent living.

 

There is a residents meeting every month, or earlier if requested, which is a chance for everyone to have their say about how the home is running. This is an opportunity to raise any issues or concerns there may be about things like housekeeping, house rules, or anything else. Rules are generally kept to a minimum, basically only those necessary for everyone to get along.

 

When you move into WILS you have your own key and you are perfectly free to come and go as you please. You can have whatever visitors you like – so long as this is not causing a problem to any of the other service users.

 

Furniture at WILS remains the property of WILS and will be replaced by WILS as and when needed, so long as it has only been subject to fair wear and tear. The property will be decorated every 3-4 years on average and service users are given a choice of colours and finishes. The cost for utilities (gas, water, electric, telephone, council tax etc) is included in the weekly utility charge. Your rent is paid for by your eligibility for Housing Benefit. Any shortfall in Housing Benefit is paid for by you, but staff at WILS will assist you in the completion of a Discretionary Payment form.

 

The support we provide is funded by the government’s ‘Supporting People’ scheme. You will not be charged for this support, providing you are eligible for housing benefit. Your stay at WILS can be a long term arrangement, providing you still need the support and you are still engaging with the service.

 

We cannot offer you any financial assistance other than ensuring that the basic furnishing and decoration and standard of accommodation is suitable, but your support workers can help you get what you are entitled to in the way of benefits or other monies, and can perhaps help you to manage them better.

 

Your support workers will try to help you in practical ways so that you can live successfully in the community with a better quality of life. For example, they might be assisting you to manage on a tight budget, helping with form filling and benefits claims, helping you to keep appointments, helping you to develop your domestic skills, and so on. Whatever form our support takes, we will always be trying to help you to do things for yourself, rather than simply doing things for you.

 

We cannot offer any kind of personal care, such as assistance with washing or dressing or administering medication - we are not funded to do this and our staff are not trained to do this. Part of the support worker’s role will usually involve helping you to manage your own problems as best you can, but they are not a substitute for your doctor or CPN or Social Worker, who may still be involved in your care. We usually work fairly closely with statutory health services so our support may be part of a larger package you are receiving. We will sometimes need to share information about you with these people but we will not discuss your personal business with anyone outside of your care team. WILS has a written policy on confidentiality and your support worker can supply you with a copy if you have any concerns or queries in this area.

 

There is no nationally agreed list of what constitutes a support task, but if you ask for help in a certain area your support worker will discuss with you whether it’s appropriate for them to get involved. If they can’t help you then they will try to point you in the direction of someone else who can. If you are unhappy with their response you can contact the service manager to clarify the matter.

About Us

Wirral Independent Living Services Ltd