Support and Development Workers

We know that living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus or being there for family members with the conditions can mean that life can be more challenging, and sometimes you can feel like you’re fighting on your own, to get the treatments, equipment, housing and finances you need in a complicated and exhausting world.  

What do Support and Development Workers do? 

Support and Development Workers (SDWs) are there to help you face all of life’s ups and downs. The team have a range of expertise and backgrounds and will pool their knowledge to do everything in their power to assist you - and if they cannot help you themselves with a particular issue, then they will find someone who can, whether that be an expert within Shine or an external contact. 

The ‘Development’ part of their work is used to build networks of contacts, in other organisations, in the areas where our members live, whether this be local specialist clinics or other NHS professionals, schools, local authorities, charities or businesses who can also assist members.  

This helps SDWs to let other organisations know about our specialist expertise, in case they come across someone with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus who hasn’t heard about Shine. It also helps us to have a range of organisations we can collaborate with, or signpost to, for members who need support which is outside of our own specialism such as dealing with a mental health crisis, domestic abuse, homelessness, substance abuse etc. 

Common requests for support which Shine’s Support and Development Workers (SDWs) can assist members with are: 

• Benefits claims 
• Grant applications for equipment etc. 
• Housing adaptations and suitable Housing
• Issues with Care and Care Packages 
• Explaining your condition/s to your employer or helping you to ask for reasonable adjustments in the workplace 
• Ensuring your educational setting understands and meets you/your child’s needs 
• Training professionals in your lives to understand the conditions 
• Emotional support (if qualified Mental Health support is needed - they will help you get in touch with mental health professionals who can offer treatment) 
• Health queries, continence, mobility etc. (they may advise you themselves or refer you to Shine’s own Health Team for more in-depth support or advice) 
• Coordinating professionals around you to understand your needs and work together in a planned way