Malcolm’s love of reading and writing

Last year, Malcolm took on the challenge of writing everyone at Jane Percy House a Christmas card, a project that helped him improve his reading and writing skills as part of his rehabilitation programme.  

We were delighted to speak to Malcolm and Activities Coordinator, Gillian, to learn more. 

Guided support 

With the right guidance, support, and encouragement, the people we support can make huge progress towards their individual rehabilitation goals.  

Before he arrived at Jane Percy House, Gillian explained, Malcolm lived in a setting that wasn’t best suited to his needs. He’s now been at Jane Percy House for around four years. In this time, he’s been working closely with Gillian, and Malcolm’s skills have improved hugely. 

“My reading is perfectly good. My writing – it’s a bit rough, but I persevered” Malcolm said about his work.  

Gillian also noted Malcolm’s improvement. “Since [he’s] moved in, he’s improved loads!” 

Getting creative 

Led by a team of clinical experts, our services promote a holistic approach to rehabilitation, one that enables the people we support to pursue their independence and interests.  

We focus on physical, cognitive, and vocational rehabilitation, alongside educational and emotional support designed to empower the person we support and include their families. 

Our services offer a range of care and treatment options. In our hospitals and neurological centres, we offer rehabilitation – helping people to regain or compensate for lost skills. 

For Malcolm, his love of music plays a huge part in his rehabilitation. He spoke to us about how much he loves the band ‘The Shadows’ and how he likes to read music. In relation to reading music and how he approaches it, he said:  

“I do reading by numbers and reading by the hardware. I’m not too bad.” 

Gillian shared that iPads have been a useful tool to help support Malcolm’s love of music.  

“He loves karaoke, he loves music, and I’ve got the iPad that tells you the lyrics so most of the songs [he knows] the words, but now he’s learning to look at the iPad when he’s stuck on the words in the song because he’s on the reading side of things. So that’s helped as well, like singing because he enjoys singing music.” 

Reconnecting with his roots 

Since he completed his Christmas card challenge, Malcolm has been focusing his attention on a slightly bigger writing project, one that’s close to home. 

Hailing from Blythe, Malcolm has a book on the history of Blythe that, with the support of Gillian, he’s using to help him improve his handwriting skills and practice. 

Reflecting on the project, Gillian said:  

“The plan is we’re going to read about the history of Blythe and try to, if he can, remember a memory from childhood and we’re going to write about it.” 

Gillian also shared that Malcolm has a scrapbook that he hopes to fill with journal entries when he goes out and about on his travels. 

No matter what 

We are proud to have been able to support Malcolm’s determination to recover. The people we support are at the centre of what we do. We’re here to help people with brain injuries or neurological conditions work towards the life they choose – no matter what.   

If you’re interested in Jane Percy House and the services we offer there, click here.