TACT Home Counties offers quality services to the people we support in a variety of settings. These include residential homes, independent supported living, conTACT Supported Employment Service and Englefield Garden Centre, which operates as a social enterprise. We provide a unique, diverse and individual service to the people we support, ensuring they lead fulfilling and integrated lives as part of their local community.

Jeremy's story

Jeremy spent many years in a long-stay hospital. When he was first introduced to TACT, he had an extremely challenging reputation and associated behaviours. He now lives independently and his support hours are down to around 28 per week.

"It feels so good to be in my own house. I didn't expect it to be as it is, doing my own shopping, choosing what I want to eat all week and also inviting Michelle around when I want to. Going to bed when I want and getting up when I want to.

"I haven't got any worries any more. I think this was the right decision for me. I get more privacy and more time on my own. I get on with all the main jobs without support, like cooking for myself and washing up afterwards, then I tidy the kitchen after that. My carer was surprised when she came back at 10 pm to find it all tidy."

Services

TACT began supporting vulnerable people following the closure of Borough Court Hospital, when seventeen people were resettled in the area. Many of them had challenging reputations and were deemed unsuitable to play a role in the community. We disagreed, and developed tailored, individual support packages offering private tenancies and residential home places. In most cases, these members now benefit from reduced support hours and greater freedom. They all work towards goals that they once thought were impossible.

We run two independent Supported Living Schemes, one in Reading and one in Oxford. Between them, around 25 people are supported, some around the clock, and others for just a few hours every week.

conTACT Supported Employment Service works with individuals who want to work for just a few hours a week, who need support whilst at work, or who want to give something back to their community by volunteering rather than attending day services. Everyone has a skill and something to offer. Just one hour's work a week for someone who has never worked before makes a real difference to their life: a sense of responsibility, increased self esteem, confidence, a feeling that their skills are being used, improved social skills, and of course, financial rewards. Employers and colleagues get to know an individual and hopefully develop an understanding of disability, changing their perceptions. conTACT has received funding from i-work, funded under EQUAL, a European Social Fund initiative, a lottery Community Fund grant, Garfield Weston Foundation and The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund.

Englefield Garden Centre operates as a social enterprise, priding itself in producing many varieties of plants and garden accessories for sale to the general public. People we support access the site for horticultural therapy, training, work experience and paid employment. We also offer arts and crafts, music and computer sessions on the site.

Divisional Director for TACT Home Counties: Estelle Christmas