Housing
How to read the stories

Housing

There are lots of practical things to decide about when moving home. There are lots of different possibilities.

You can get advice about these different choices. Some people are in contact with a social worker who looks out for possibilities which might suit them and knows about how local councils can arrange the money. Local councils also give housing advice to anyone looking for a place and know, for example, about council housing and housing offered by housing associations. And there are usually estate agents in the high street who know about places to buy and places to rent from private landlords.

There are also organisations who work all over the country to help people find a home that suits them.

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.