Robert Shufflebotham
New Outlooks is a care and
support service run by Avante
Care & Support, which provides
support for adults with learning
difficulties to live independent
lives. Robert Shufflebotham has
been a client of New Outlooks for
over 10 years, and seven months
ago was diagnosed with terminal
lung cancer.
Tracy Moss (Keyworker) and the
New Outlooks team invited me
along to spend some time with
Robert and his colleagues. I
wanted to have a better
understanding of the support that
our Keyworkers provide for our
clients at New Outlooks. So, on a
Tuesday morning we all met at
the Eco Shed in Sittingbourne run
by Richard Carrier, a project
within the Skillnet Group CIC
which believes everyone should
work together equally within the
community.
Tracy has worked at New
Outlooks for over 12 years and
during this time has supported
Robert for over 6 years
introducing him to the Eco Shed
project which he thoroughly
enjoys.
Robert attends the Eco Shed
every Tuesday with Tracy’s
support and has clearly gained
so much in the two years he has
12 been attending. Robert explained
to me that he likes to be out as
much as possible rather than
staying indoors at home. Robert
is not letting his recent diagnosis
stand in the way of life for him.
Robert was keen to show me
what he had made which
included a bird box, pencil box
and bird feeder. Everything that
Robert and his colleagues make
goes on to be sold at various
different outlets across Kent, with
the profit from the sales going
back into the service to buy much
needed materials such as wood
and paint.
Projects like the Eco Shed have
encouraged Robert to develop his
carpentry skills and integrate with
new people and make new
friends.
“I really enjoy
coming here as it
feels like I have a
job”
said Robert on a couple of
occasions and I couldn’t help but
agree with him. Everyone that
attends Eco Shed has a real sense
of purpose for being there, an
important role within the project.
Health and safety responsibilities
are given out at the beginning of
the session too with Robert often
choosing Fire Warden as his
responsibility. ‘I’ve held a few fire
drills since attending this project,’
Robert explained to me.
Throughout the morning Robert
and I chatted about his life before
using New Outlooks, he shared
with me that he was born in
Chatham and has lived in
Sittingbourne all his life, now
living with his brother Clifford.
Previously he lived a short while
in residential care but it didn’t suit
him and he soon asked if he
could move out. Robert struck me
as an active man who doesn’t sit
still for long, with a positive
attitude and he is keen to be
involved in whatever activity is
av