We understand that Yorklea is more than a provider for care services, it is the chosen home of our residents and it is important to us that they quickly develop a sense of ownership. We recognise and respect the right of each resident to lead as independent and fulfilling a life as possible and strive to ensure that every resident will continue to enjoy all aspects of daily living. This includes recreational, cultural, social and occupational activities. All residents will be assisted in exercising choice and control over their personal lives and issues.

We will strive to make the routines of daily living and activities flexible and varied to suit the expectations, preferences and capacities of our residents and residents will be encouraged to maintain social relationships made outside of the home and we will support the maintenance of such relationships where we can.

We will not restrict visiting times for family/friends/representatives providing the privacy and dignity of other residents is maintained and residents will have the right to choose who they see and to receive visitors in private.

We understand that social interaction and relationships can be formed from a diversity of reasons, for example; age, religion, gender, social background, or commonality.

The communal space can be easily adapted to support a number of social groups, whether small or large, and can be easily adapted to the changing individual and collective needs of our residents

As part of our lifestyles philosophy:

• we recognise and respect the right of the individual to live the lifestyle of his/her choosing.
• we value the contribution by family and friends in the lives of the each resident and encourage participation in daily living.
• an open and flexible approach is adopted towards visiting and privacy is provided as required.
• the home has been designed to enable residents to choose the range and diversity of their social interaction.
• an activities coordinator is available to assist residents to pursue hobbies and other leisure interest or participate in group sessions.
• opportunities and practical encouragement is provided to access and participate in programmes of education.

It is our philosophy to promote and maintain the independence of each resident by:

• allowing and supporting residents to make decisions and choices that enable them to live their lives as they choose.
• recognising the individual right to take risks as part of maintaining an independent lifestyle.
• supporting residents to maintain links with family and friends and significant others.
• supporting residents to maintain involvement with community life outside the home by accessing shops, cinemas, pubs, places of worship etc.
• supporting residents to pursue their own interests and hobbies and participate in all appropriate internal and external recreational activities.

We aim to provide an environment that respects the need for privacy, and where residents are treated with courtesy, respect and dignity at all times. To support this our residents:

• are encouraged to express their views and opinions of the service provided
• determine how they wish to be addressed
• use their rooms as they wish for entertaining, leisure and meals.
• choose what to wear, when to get up and when to go to bed.
• choose who they want to socialise with.
• choose where they want to have their meals
• can furnish and equip their rooms in a style of their choice, within reason.
• can lock their rooms and keep personal items in a lockable storage space.
• determine the range and diversity of their social interaction.
• administer their own medication, where able

The management of the home recognises the right of the individual resident to live the lifestyle of his/her choosing, subject to an appropriate risk assessment of the individual.

Residents may attend religious services either within or outside the home as they so desire. If services are outside the home the resident should, where possible, arrange for transport and accompaniment with friends or relatives. In the event of this not being possible, a member of the care team may accompany residents on specific occasions, if staffing levels permit.

Residents have the right to meet clergy of their chosen denomination at any time. If required, a private room will be made available within the home for such meetings.