At Solden Hill House, we believe that learning doesn't stop at any age. Every day presents an opportunity to build confidence, discover new abilities and develop greater independence. We support each person to learn and maintain the skills that matter most to them. For some, this may be preparing a favourite meal or managing a weekly shopping trip. For others, it might be learning to travel independently, manage money, care for their home or build confidence in social situations.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all programme, we work alongside each individual to identify their own goals and aspirations. Together, we break these down into achievable steps, celebrating every success along the way—because every achievement, no matter how big or small, represents progress towards greater independence.
Skills we support include:
Cooking and meal planning
Shopping and budgeting
Managing money and personal finances
Household tasks and keeping a home
Personal care and wellbeing
Time management and daily routines
Independent travel and using public transport
Building friendships and communication skills
Accessing education, volunteering and employment opportunities
Using technology safely and confidently
Health and wellbeing, including exercise and healthy living
Making informed choices and decisions
Our approach is practical, hands-on and tailored to each person. We encourage people to have a go, learn through experience and grow in confidence, while always providing the right level of support to help them succeed.
Ultimately, our goal is to help people develop the confidence, skills and independence to live the life they choose, in a way that is meaningful to them.
At Solden Hill House, everything we do starts with the individual. We believe every person deserves to be listened to, respected and supported to live a life that reflects who they are, their aspirations and what matters most to them.
Our approach is influenced by nationally recognised person-centred practices, including the work of Helen Sanderson Associates, which places relationships, choice, strengths and meaningful outcomes at the heart of support.
These principles help us to understand each person beyond their care needs, celebrating their individuality, abilities and ambitions. Rather than fitting people into services, we shape our support around each individual. We work alongside residents, families and professionals to build confidence, encourage independence, develop new opportunities and create fulfilling lives where people feel valued, connected and empowered to make their own choices.
Every conversation, every activity and every goal is guided by one simple question: "What matters to this person?" Because when people are genuinely listened to and supported in ways that reflect who they are, extraordinary things can happen.
Meaningful work and volunteering can play a vital role in building confidence, developing new skills and creating a sense of purpose. At Solden Hill House, we support people to explore opportunities that reflect their interests, strengths and ambitions, whether that's volunteering, work experience, education or paid employment.
Everyone's journey is different. Some people may be taking their first steps towards a community-based role, while others may be developing existing skills or exploring new career aspirations. Our support is tailored to each individual, helping them gain the confidence and practical experience needed to achieve their personal goals.
Our team works alongside each person to provide the right level of encouragement and guidance before, during and after their placement. This may include developing workplace skills, building confidence, learning new routines, improving communication, travelling independently or simply becoming more comfortable in new environments.
Residents currently enjoy volunteering with a range of local organisations, including charity shops such as The Salvation Army and the British Heart Foundation and local cafés, where they have the opportunity to contribute to their community, meet new people and gain valuable real-world experience.
For many people, these opportunities become much more than developing workplace skills—they build friendships, increase independence, strengthen self-esteem and open doors to future volunteering, education or employment.
Communication is about much more than words. It's about expressing thoughts, making choices, building relationships and ensuring every person has the opportunity to be heard and understood.
At Solden Hill House, we recognise that everyone communicates differently. We take the time to understand each person's preferred way of communicating and adapt our support to meet their individual needs, ensuring their voice is at the centre of every decision.
To support effective communication, we use a range of personalised tools and approaches, including communication cards, visual supports, signs, symbols and other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods where appropriate. These resources help people to express their thoughts, feelings, preferences and aspirations with confidence.
Our team receives ongoing training to ensure communication is accessible, meaningful and consistent across every aspect of daily life. By creating an environment where people feel listened to and understood, we help build confidence, encourage independence and strengthen relationships with family, friends and the wider community.
Every conversation matters. Whether someone communicates through speech, signs, symbols, gestures, technology or behaviour, we believe every form of communication is equally important and deserves to be recognised, respected and responded to.
Our communication support may include:
Makaton signs and symbols
Communication cards and visual prompts
Visual schedules and choice boards
Social stories and visual explanations
Assistive communication technology
Easy Read information
Individual communication passports
Consistent, person-centred communication strategies
By making communication accessible, we empower people to make informed choices, build meaningful relationships and take an active role in shaping their own lives.