You never asked me

I lived in a 'bin' for most of my days Away from the world, out of public gaze You fed me, you bathed me and put me to bed And while you were doing it nothing was said You never asked me if I wanted to play If I wanted to sing, if I wanted to pray You never asked me to come into town If I was happy or feeling down Treated the same as a table or chair An object, as if I weren't there. And lo and behold everything changed No one asked me - was already arranged Come to our world you do have the right Live beside us - but keep out of sight You have to be normal And do what we do You mustn't look different You mustn't be you You never asked me where I wanted to live In a house, in a flat or even who with The old days are gone and life will be good You will be treated the way that you should So I got a new bedroom and painted it blue It's not like the bin, it's bright and it's new And the staff came along as they knew me so well Different walls, different views Same staff, same hell You never asked me 'what would you like to eat?' You never asked me 'would you like your tea sweet?' You never asked me 'would you like to go out?' You only got cross when I started to shout And you gave me a label that said I was bad And you gave me some pills that made me feel mad And you locked up the kitchen so I couldn't choose And you bought nice things that I couldn't use And you sat in my chair, used my TV remote And my life only existed in the notes that you wrote Cornflakes for breakfast, two sugars in tea A shower in the morning, a baths not for me Knock on the door when you come to my room Don't just open it, don't just assume Open the wardrobe and show me my clothes Ugh! baggy old trousers, I won't wear those Cornflakes for breakfast, two sugars in tea A shower in the morning, a baths not for me Knock on the door when you come to my room Don't just open it, don't just assume Open the wardrobe and show me my clothes Ugh! baggy old trousers, I won't wear those Cornflakes for breakfast, two sugars in tea A shower in the morning, a baths not for me Knock on the door when you come to my room Don't just open it, don't just assume Open the wardrobe and show me my clothes Ugh! baggy old trousers, I won't wear those I'd like to make lunch, a soup or a stew Then sit down and eat it, join me too? I'm not very good but I'm sure we can try Please can you teach me and explain to me why And when I come home at the end of the day I need someone to talk to, listen to what I say I might go to bed or sit up for a while Please keep me company, please make me smile. I want all the things that you have in your life A home, a job, maybe a wife I want to have friends and have fun and a laugh I can't do this without paid staff But that doesn't mean I value you less I need your support, please care and invest In me We're not different We're the same you see I've always known But you never asked me

Dignity - How we don't do it here

Excuse me nurse my mum needs a hand She needs the toilet not a bedpan. Not again she's just done a wee She will have to wait I'm busy you see. Excuse me nurse its my mum she's bursting, its driving her mad Just tell her to do it she's wearing a pad. My poor mum she's in such a state I wouldn't wish this on my worst mate. Excuse me nurse my mum is all wet She's very embarrassed and so upset. The nurse replied with a disgruntled huff For heavens sake I'll get the stuff. Excuse me nurse can you close the curtain The visitors can see in that's for certain. My poor mum is laid there Totally naked completely bare. Excuse me nurse we need a chat In a minute I'll be right back. The nurse I discovered had gone to tea Not bothered she'd stripped mum of her dignity.

A Poem for Dignity and Pride

Dignity and Pride two little words we say, Yet we each and every one of us, Expect to find them, Every single day, Some times when you are feeling low, With little self esteem, Those two words can be very elusive, You all know what I mean, When you help me through the day, And In my hour of need, If we work closely as a team, I am sure we will succeed, When you help me through my day, As we work side by side, With your friendly help and caring smile, You can help me keep my dignity and pride, So when you're helping others, As we do from day to day, Always be supportive, With the things you do and say, From all our tasks with service users, Working side by side, Always keep in mind, Their dignity and pride

The Dignity Tree

I'm planting my first seed today The seed of dignity In time you'll see my seed will grow And grow into a tree A tree fulfilled with knowledge A plant for all to see What being a dignity champion Really means to me It's a leaf with an idea on It's an idea I'd like to share It's an inspirational idea It's a leaf to show I care The tree will always be there Long after I have gone To stand up for dignity in care A challenge to be won I know you will support me And I know you'll love the tree It's not just a tree you know It's what dignity means to me

I'm Here..." - A poem about Dignity in Care for the person that matters

I am still a person although my actions and words may not make sense It's just something's seem complicated to me, doesn't mean that I'm stupid or dense I ask you don't treat me as another number a person in care I'm a person who needs to be treated with respect and dignity that's fair I am frightened and confused and not sure what's going on So please don't assume that my faculties' have gone There are times when I can recognise special people and their faces And remember special thoughts and memories of times and places I need your help, your care and complete reassurance To know that I can spend the rest of my days happy getting through this I was like you once, you know, and wish I was still today But unfortunately life has dealt the cards and I've ended up this way So please understand I'm not stupid, nor a child or mad I'm just a person who is confused, frustrated and sad And so I am asking please be there for me and make me smile Make the rest of my life happy, special and worth while

I Laugh With You Sometimes

I laugh with you sometimes and say foolish things, I try to be brave and think you won't notice, I am crying inside. My words muddle up, though I know what I mean I get so confused I wish I could scream! I am crying inside. I am in the wrong body, my minds not my own. I live in a large house and long for my home. I am crying inside. I forget the last minute ''What was it you said? i remember my childhood but can't find my bed! I am crying inside. Where are my family? my Father my Mother? all the friends I have known where has time gone to? I am crying inside. I long for my last bed my pillow the grave. yet i cling on , I am so afraid. ''Won't somebody hear me!'' I am dying. I am crying inside.' Heather Macken. 1994. This is a poem about dignity in care!!

Guy fawkes celebrations

We held a sparkler party which many people enjoyed. We also made guys which meant lots of laughter was had with staff and residents getting involved. As you can see from the picture below they took pride of place in the corridor for everyone to see.