Meet Rahima – AFG Support Worker Making a Positive Difference

At Alternative Futures Group (AFG), we take pride in the incredible work of our Support Workers who go above and beyond to transform lives. One such inspiring colleague is Rahima Patel, who joined AFG in 2024 with no prior experience in social care. Despite her short time with us, Rahima has made a remarkable impact, particularly in her work with Karl (name changed to protect identity), a 21-year-old with autism.

A Challenging Start to Her Career as a Support Worker

Working as a Support Worker in AFG’s Learning Disability division, Rahima began supporting Karl, he had recently transitioned from child services and was struggling to adapt. Though commissioned to receive 25 hours of support weekly, Karl was only accessing one or two hours and was resistant to engagement. Additionally, Karl faced significant financial struggles, including mounting debt, which he found overwhelming to manage.

Building Trust with the People We Support

Through patience, empathy, and a supportive approach, Rahima built a trusting relationship with Karl. Her efforts encouraged him to open up about his challenges, paving the way for meaningful change. Together, they created a budget plan, and Rahima connected Karl with a local financial advice service. With her guidance, Karl established a plan to repay his debts, taking the first steps toward financial stability.

But Rahima’s impact didn’t stop there. Karl is now actively participating in everyday domestic tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. He has also started expressing his feelings more openly with his support team, leading to a significant improvement in his emotional wellbeing. What’s more, Karl’s challenging behaviours that once occurred multiple times a week have completely ceased in recent months.

Recognition for Outstanding Support

Rahima’s dedication and effectiveness have not gone unnoticed. Her Team Leader shared, “Rahima has fitted in seamlessly at our property, and her empathetic and supportive approach has resulted in a major breakthrough with Karl, which is all the more impressive considering she is only contracted to 15 hours per week.”

‘Highly Commended’ at the Great British Care Awards

In recognition of Rahima’s outstanding work, last November she was ‘Highly Commended’ for the ‘Home Care Newcomer’ Award at the Great British Care Awards North West Finals! In addition, Rahima was nominated by her AFG colleagues as a Finalist in the ‘Most Impactful Newcomer’ category at our Amazing People Awards 2024. Everybody at AFG is extremely proud of Rahima’s achievements.

Championing the AFG Values

Rahima’s ability to adapt, empathise, and empower others highlights the values that are so important to us at AFG. We are proud to have Rahima as part of our team and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact she will undoubtedly make.

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