Finding Independence Again
n 2018, Pat Fagen had an operation that resulted in the amputation of his leg. After a long period of recovery, all Pat wanted was to go home. But there was a problem: without a stairlift, he could not safely get in and out of his house.
That is when Pat was offered a place in a Stepping Stone Home property , a short-term scheme run by Essex County Council, with Community360 contracted to help deliver the service. The service is designed for people with care and support needs who cannot yet return home safely, helping them bridge the gap between hospital or residential care and independent living.
When someone arrives, a Community360 team member meets them, welcomes them to the scheme, and provides an essentials pack with food, basic toiletries, towels and bedding. During their stay, the Connecting Care team carries out welfare visits as needed, takes part in weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings, and offers social prescribing support, signposting to services that can help both tenants and, where appropriate, their families. When it is time to move on, Community360 can also help with practical support, including transport and settling-in visits.
For Pat, Stepping Stones meant he could leave hospital and begin rebuilding life at a pace that felt manageable, alongside his wife, Roz. It also gave Roz time to adjust without the pressure of daily hospital visits.
While living in Stepping Stones accommodation, Pat and Roz began speaking with Occupational Therapists and the home adaptations team at Colchester City Council. Together, they arranged an access ramp and a stairlift at their home – the changes Pat needed to return to the place he had been longing for.
“I can’t begin to put into words what a difference the Stepping Stones service and the alterations to our home made,” Pat says. “It might not seem such a big thing, but it gave me back my independence again.”
Seeing Pat and Roz back at home tells you everything you need to know. As a stepping stone between hospital and home, the scheme helped Pat regain everyday normality – and the confidence to move forward.
About Stepping Stones Essex
Essex County Council’s Stepping Stone Home service supports people with care and support needs who are not yet able to return home safely. It provides short-term accommodation and support to enable timely discharge, prevent avoidable admissions, and build independence and confidence for the next step , whether that is returning home or moving to another setting, with or without ongoing care and support.
Referrals to the scheme are made through professional adult social care channels.
