Imagining My Home
Introduction
Because all people are unique and have different tastes, preferences and needs, it's important to imagine home one person at a time. The creation of a vision for what is ideal is a great starting point. A vision is a mental picture of what life might look like in the future. It important when assisting a person to develop their vision, to hold a picture of what is typical and ordinary about home and assist the person to express what their ideal home might look like. This can include people the person knows well. All preconceived ideas are put on hold while a picture of what home and what a good home life looks like for the person is developed.
This might mean using different methods to assist the person to imagine their own home, while reassuring them they can move at their own pace. Some people have drawn a picture, created a vision board, visited other people's homes or even visited certain locations and types of houses. For example apartments, units, houses etc. It may involve short stays or house sitting to taste and try the ideas.
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Some things to consider might be location e.g. proximity to family, work, public transport, space, number of bedrooms, style, layout, neighbourhood, who to live with, décor, budget, garden, pets, accessibility.
Key Points​
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Focus on the one person.
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Introduce the topic e.g. have a gentle conversation.
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Gather people to assist the person to create a clear and typical vision for their own home.
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Dream big, have high expectations.
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Keep typical and ordinary concepts about home at the forefront.
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Create a vision board.
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Explore what is possible - Test and try!
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Develop a vision for home separate to funding considerations.
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Take your time.
Watch Videos
The House Sitter
Produced by Imagine More
Cameron is in his early twenties and has always lived in the family home. To explore what life in a home of his own could look like, Cameron did some regular housesitting for a family friend. Cameron's experience was positive and showed that he’s was ready to live in a place of his own with carefully-crafted support in place.
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Home is important to me because…
Produced by Community Resource Unit
In this video montage, people explore why their home is important to them and what it brings to them.
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This is my home
by Julia Listopad (Produced by Community Resource Unit)
Having tried many different group settings for her work and home, Julia Listopad knew that she wanted more. With the support of her family and others, Julia crafted a more individualised life of her own . She was initially suported by HomesWest.
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Things to consider for a new home
by Janet Klees and Deb Rouget (Produced by Belonging Matters)
What key decisions are important when planning a deciding where to live? In this presentation Janet Klees and Deb Rouget discuss what is crucial in deciding where to live and how to create a home.
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Lessons my son taught me
by Alison Ouellette (Produced by Belonging Matters)
Alison Ouellette's son David, who has complex needs, has taught her lessons around home, ordinary life, valued roles, and strong community connections.
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Dearne's Vision to Live in her own home
by Jackie Holmes (Produced by Belonging Matters)
In this presentation Jackie Holmes discusses how the vision for her daughter Dee to live in her own home started. She also speaks about finding a house, a flatmate and the right support workers all the while ensuring it's Dee home and is not directed by or like a service.
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Read
Cameron's story
by Maggie Skinner
In this article Maggie, Cameron's mum writes about some of the first steps they took as a family to assist their son Cameron to move into his own home
Activating life-giving visions
by Michael Kendrick
Michael Kendrick, in his article, explores how negative things such as low expectation, negative assumptions and lack of opportunity can impact on the vision and potential of people with a disability.
Building big visions and keeping on track for an inclusive life: What helps?
by Jeremy Ward
In this article Jeremy Ward talks about families and the importance of vision. He provides a framework to dream of a good life and invites others to share the vision.
Don't stop believing
by Kim Fairburn-Baker
Kim Fairburn-Baker discusses how important vision is to assisting her daughter work towards the good things of life and things that have helped her, as a parent stay on track.
Home: Tip Sheet
by Belonging Matters
Since 2003, Belonging Matters has journeyed with many people with intellectual disability and autism to move beyond traditional group home living to imagine and create a home of their own. This tip sheet shares the wisdom of individuals, families and others and helps us to think about what home really is and isn’t.
Exercises
My Home, My Way Workbook
by NACBO
The My Home, My Way Workbook was developed to accompany the My Home, My Way webinars and workshops. It has a number of exercises that you can work through. On page 3, you will find an exercise about creating a vision
Useful Links
Vision statements
by Imagine More
A selection of positive, well-articulated vision statements, some of which include a vision for home. Use these for ideas and inspiration for developing your own vision of home.
A place to call home
by MAMRE
Booklet to assist individuals and families to consider independent living options
Living like everyone else - re-thinking 24 hour support
by The Summer Foundation
A guide explores new opportunities for supporting people with disabilities and complex needs to live in their own homes. Eleven implementation strategies were identified through a series of interviews and consultations, based on successful initiatives that have enabled people with disabilities to live like everyone else in their own way in their community. The strategies are designed to keep expectations about possibilities open and evolving. They also raise important re-framed questions, which facilitate choice and control, independence and community participation.