Family relationships
How to read the stories

Family relationships

Friendships and relationships are important elements in everyone’s life. Without them we can become lonely, and our mental health can suffer.

Families are likely to be very important. Even if a person does not live with their family and family members do not visit regularly, it is still essential to inform and involve them in any important decisions or events. Daily supporters (paid staff) may quite often feel they know the person who they support best, but families have known them longest, from the day they were born; those bonds of belonging can never be dismissed. If families and daily supporters can work well together, it will greatly benefit the person.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
• Who do you think that is?
• What is happening?
• How is he or she feeling?
• Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.