Neave | Faces of Futures

Neave, Support Worker, Milton Street Learning Disabilities Service, Dundee

My name is Neave Doig and I’m a support worker at Hillcrest Futures’ Milton Street service. I started my career at Hillcrest as a Foundation Apprentice in 2022, then moved on to also being a flexi support worker in April 2023. I realised I actually really enjoyed being a support worker and made the decision to go full time. I started at the Longfield Drive service, and then moved to Milton Street.

I support vulnerable adults and assist them to be able to live independently. It positively impacts the people I support as I am able to help them have the freedom they deserve whilst also giving them the highest standard of support I can. I try and make their life feel as normal as possible – whatever may be normal to the individual.

I specialise in epilepsy and challenging behaviour. I didn’t initially choose for epilepsy to be my specialism, but a gentleman I support requires me to be trained in this. Epilepsy can be a very scary and daunting disability for both the support worker and the supported person. I wanted to make sure I was giving this gentleman the best possible support I could and not letting my fear take over. I do prefer to work with challenging behaviour as it is very rewarding to me. I make sure I treat people with challenging behaviour the same way as I would treat someone with a mild learning disability. I also want them to be able to have the same opportunities, even if that means slowly working towards a small goal.

I like that I can go to any service within Hillcrest Futures and be treated fairly and with respect. I think teamwork and collaboration is something a lot of hard work goes into, as it can take a while for a team to get into a good routine of working together. I think I have grown immensely since starting with Hillcrest. When I first started, I had never done any sort of support work and now I am a confident and capable support worker, which I have a few people to thank for – they nurtured me and helped teach me everything I need to know.

Patience and an open mind make someone successful in Hillcrest Futures, as well as determination and a willingness to learn. My tip would be to just go for it, you’re not going to know if you like it or not until you try – and also to be confident, you will always be learning in this job so be confident and ask questions.

My work life balance is supported as if I need time off for an event or anything, I will most likely get it. I always get my two days off a week and a mix of shifts so I’m not always doing the same one.

A highlight would be just being able to support a gentleman to Edinburgh Zoo, which was a very challenging day, but being able to see him have fun and interact was worth it.