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Christine Champion, right, with resident Sadie enjoying the garden at Hillcrest

CHRISTINE Champion was working as a part-time shop assistant when she decided to take on a new career. Now 22, she has been a learning disability support worker for more than three years, helping to look after residents of a care home in Bournemouth.

It might seem a heavy responsibility for one so young, but Christine loves her job. Before joining the staff at Hillcrest, currently home to 19 adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, she had had no contact with such people.

"It was a bit scary at first," she admitted.

"There's two weeks of non-stop training when you first start and at first you go round and shadow staff. You're not left to do it on your own.

"It's fulfilling. It's nice seeing the residents happy and knowing you can do something to bring them enjoyment, even if it's just walking to the shops so they can pick something."

Christine is a key worker to two of the residents, 34-year-old Jo and 59-year-old Dennis.

"She's into Kylie, loves disco dancing, listening to music and having a boogie.

"He just loves chocolate. On Christmas Day, I bought him three boxes - one was gone in about five minutes.

"There's quite a contrast of residents here. You can have a full-blown conversation with some of them. Others are less capable.

"You get the occasional scream. It's a bit shocking at first having someone swear at you, but eventually you don't take any notice. They do it because they are a bit frustrated. Most of them are bathed by us - we help them get washed and dressed."

Christine enjoys the variety of her job. She has gained professional qualifications and has been able to buy a flat with her boyfriend.

Senior clinical nurse Daniel Austin explained that a learning disability is broadly defined as an IQ of less than 70 (the average is 100).

"You're born with it - it's a life-long condition," he said.

"No one thing fits all 19 people here. Each one is an individual and person-centred planning forms the basis of all our care.

"Even though this is, by definition, a hospital unit, this is their home. The personal attachment to residents in care makes the difference between this and other jobs."

Hillcrest's residents range in age from mid-20s to early 60s. Each of the bedrooms has the resident's photograph and full name on the door and is individually furnished.

During the day they are often out and about with support workers, who accompany them on outings, sporting activities, shopping trips and sometimes even holidays.

The focus is on giving them the same chance as anyone else to access community facilities. It's a stark contrast to the days when many people with learning disabilities lived in large mental institutions, away from the public.

By April 2010, "in-patient" residents in NHS-run homes have to be moved to housing in the community, which means Hillcrest's days are numbered - although learning disability support workers will still be needed to help them live their lives.

Clinical nurse specialist Chris Pacey started her career at a hospital with nearly 1,000 residents more than 30 years ago. "Some of those people probably never left the grounds. The enormous change that's happened is fantastic," she said.

11:31am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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