Kim Collins
Kim was born in 1961 and it was quickly recognised that she had a Severe Learning Disability, a diagnosis that has
impacted our family for nearly 60 years.
Schooling was difficult, as there were very little placements available for her condition, but eventually a special autistic
unit in Essex came to the rescue and she was taken there by bus every day until she was 21.
We then found a place for her at a training college in Wales run by MENCAP called Pengwern Hall. They found
accommodating Kim difficult, but she stayed on for just over a year, after which they told us that her disability was too
challenging, and we searched for a place that would accept her.
The most forward-thinking educationalist at the time was Stanley Segal who had written a book entitled ‘no child is
uneducable’. He was instrumental in developing the law as it relates to Learning Disability in the 1970s and 1980s and
then moved on to take over at Ravenswood village making it the most progressive and forward-thinking care facility
at that time.
Happily, he accepted Kim into the Village in 1983. The village had a school, a college and day care which was
extraordinary asit ran as a full-time provision for all the residents. The homes within the village were based on a family
model, similar to Camphill Villages where each home had a married couple plus staff, some lived in the homes, and
some lived in Crowthorne or nearby. Lunches were available in the village hall where the residents could meet their
friends and regular events were organised in the village to which the local community and families of the residents
were invited. The annual Ravenswood fair was particularly successful and raised significant funds for the village. (Some
of the photos attached below are of Kim at the fair with friends and family)
Within the village environment Kim flourished and despite her challenging behaviour, the village community where
everyone knew everyone else, allowed her a high degree of freedom. Over time, changes in Kim’s behaviour, picked
up by the staff at the village, led to a diagnosis of Bi-polar disorder alongside her severe learning disability. Over several
years the Ravenswood team together with other healthcare professionals were able to moderate her bi-polar disorder
and therefore some of her behaviour by taking a Lithium based medicine. Unfortunately, long term treatment with
Lithium is toxic to the kidneys and eventually she had to stop this medication. The resulting return to extremely
challenging behaviour presented difficulties for the staff that were managed fantastically by moving Kim to more
appropriate accommodation within the village, something only a village community has the capacity to achieve. Kim
and one other resident moved into a flat (Pardes), which is attached to one of the village houses (The Orchard).
Alongside this the staff kept incredibly detailed records of many aspects of Kim’s cyclic manic – depressive behaviour
whilst trialling different mood stabilizing drugs and associated care provision. After several years the collaboration of
input from healthcare professionals, various drug regimens and living in Pardes made it possible to control the
extremes of Kim’s behaviour. Again, this dedicated work over many years has only been possible in a village
environment with committed care staff who remain for many years and even when they move on to another role in
the village are willing, able and keen to engage with Kim whenever they see her.
When experiencing manic episodes Kim has an uncontrollable need to roam, usually running without stopping for long
periods of time. The Village, with its large grounds has allowed that to happen in a safe and secure environment
without her being a danger to herself or others. In contrast if Kim wishes to go out into the general community she
always needs 2 members of staff to accompany her whereas in the Village she only needs one person with her.
Over the years Kim has been able to make use of the many facilities that Ravenswood has offered. She enjoys
swimming and the pool at the Village gives her the freedom to participate in something that is not possible in the
general community (attempts to go swimming in pools outside the village were made but because of the possibility of
incontinence and erratic behaviour she was banned).
Kim enjoys the horses that are stabled in the village and for a time went on a weekly horse and carriage ride around
the village even being able to hold the reins under supervision. Again, an amazing facility that would not be possible
in a general community setting.
There is no doubt that the semi-rural environment Kim lives in has given her a life she would never have had in a flat
or house in the general urban community. It gives her the greatest freedom possible based on her ability whilst still
allowing her to participate in local community activities in the company of 2 members of staff. Kim has her own
Motability car to facilitate this which enables her to come to London and visit family and with her advocates (of which
she has two who visit her every 8 days or so) to go out to the local pub where she is well known. Kim also accesses
other local attractions and parks for long walks.
Over the nearly forty years that Kim has been at the Village there have been annual reviews of her personal plan where
Kim, her family, her advocates, her care staff and representatives of her funding authority have met up to ensure that
her needs are being met. There has never been any suggestion from any professional involved in these reviews that
the Village is not the most appropriate place for Kim to live. In addition there have been many medical reviews both
in the Village and with the local community General Practitioner to ensure that Kim is receiving the best medication
to manage her conditions.
The Village, as a home for Kim, is where we believe she can live her best life possible. It has been a lifeline for her
parents, brother, sister-in-law and wider family because it has allowed us all to have peace of mind knowing that Kim
is being cared for in an environment where she is professionally looked after and, most importantly, where she is safe
and happy both now and in the future. Ravenswood like other village and group communities provides a way of life
that is just not possible in the wider community, it is an incredibly unique and special environment that has made all
the difference to the residents and their families for many years past and we hope, many years to come.
Maurice Collins (Father)
Paul Collins (Brother)