Our loved ones’ personal networks are essential to their quality of life today and their security tomorrow. Some of the benefits we’ve seen in the lives of our relatives as a result of strong networks include:
- Greater independence, self-worth, and self-confidence
- Greater sense of belonging
- Connection to community
- More people with whom to enjoy life
- More people to monitor ongoing services
- More people to support the person at the centre to solve problems and resolve crises
- More people to assist in planning, giving advice, and making decisions
- More involvement in activities for the person at the centre, including employment
We can assist you in building a personal network for your loved one in a few different ways.
- Become a lifetime member of PLAN or one of our affiliates (check here to see if there is a PLAN affiliate in your area or here to learn more about Lifetime Membership)
- Take our on-line course on developing networks: Weaving the Ties That Bind (link)
More about Lifetime Membership at PLAN
A Personal Network is the most important benefit of PLAN membership. PLAN creates a personal network of likeminded caring and committed people who join together in a relationship with your relative, other family members, and each other. Once up and running, the network bridges the gap between living on the edge of community and being a full and active participant in that community.
How does PLAN create networks?
We hire network Community Connectors and match them with families, based on their knowledge of the community and their compatibility with the person who is socially isolated. The Community Connector looks for others to join the network.
The key is invitation. First, they determine who was or is currently in a relationship with your family member. Next, the immediate and extended family is considered. Then we invite family, friends and neighbours an d people from every walk of life: people who have something in common with your relative and above all, people who like your relative and want to spend time with them. We do not use a bank of volunteers; rather, we rely on the power of networking and friendship based on common interests.
PLAN has several coordinators charged with the duty of finding, training, and supervising Community Connectors. Because it is important to find the right match, it takes a thoughtful process to find the right person to be your relative’s Community Connector. Even after the right person has been found, it takes time for a network to grow and flourish.
What is a personal network?
- People who provide advice, encouragement, comfort, and love
- People who care about your relative’s safety and security.
- People who are genuine friends
- People who stay in touch by phone and email, and enjoy spending time with your relative
- People who share their passions and recognize their gifts
PLAN nurtures the development of a personal network of committed men and women who join together in a relationship with the individual at the centre of the network and with each other.
Each member of the network forms a relationship with the person at the centre based on common interests and friendship. As any friend would, members offer support, monitoring, advocacy, companionship, and caring.
At the heart of a personal network lies friendship. Members of a network are there because they possess true feelings for the person at the centre of the network.
Who are Community Connectors?
A Community Connector is a person who shares your and PLAN’s values. Community Connectors range in age from their mid-twenties to their early seventies. Some are relatives of people with disabilities. Some have a background in community support, but most do not. All Community Connectors have a knack for seeing the gifts of your relative, and the enthusiasm to inspire others to see it too.
What do Community Connectors do?
The fundamental task of the Community Connector is to support your family member as they make connections with as many like-minded people as possible as they work toward building authentic friendships. Once these friendships are built, the Community Connector formalizes a group of three to five people who share the purpose of ensuring a safe and secure future for your relative and to contribute to the quality of their life now.
A Note about Friendship
Personal networks are not about doing a favour for people with disabilities or their families. People join networks because they genuinely care about the person at the centre. Network members receive friendship as well as give it. There are many, many people participating in networks who have related that they receive more from the person at the centre than they contribute to the person at the centre. And often, this exchange evolves into true friendship. As we all know, however, friendship cannot be taken as a given nor does it come automatically. It takes chemistry and time.
We have found that a caring, supportive personal network is the cornerstone of a good life for our loved ones. To find out more about creating a network for your family member, please take a look at our workshops and publications, join the conversation with other family members in our forums, or contact us.
