Progress Starts with Trust

This example comes from our partners at the PBS Centre of Excellence. Epona was not involved in this case, but it demonstrates the type of progress that can be made when Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is applied in a consistent and person-centred way. ​

The young man in question experienced high levels of anxiety and stayed within the boundaries of his garden. He found it difficult to be near others and would withdraw when people came too close. Forming relationships was not something he had experience with, nor did he have any strategies to manage social contact. ​

The PBS team took a slow and structured approach. Daily visits were introduced to gradually build tolerance and familiarity. After a few weeks, he initiated a conversation by showing a video of trains on his phone. The team used this as a starting point, asking questions and expressing interest. He invited them into his home to see his model railway setup. Over time, trust developed.

The team spent time with him doing things that mattered to him. They gardened, went fishing, cooked outside, and played games. These shared activities supported communication, confidence, and relationship-building. ​ One day, while harvesting vegetables, he offered some to someone walking past. He then invited them in to look at his trains. This was a clear milestone in his social development.

Later, he began inviting people to his BBQs. He took the lead in social interactions, built connections with others, and found ways to manage his anxiety in real time. ​ What This Tells Us This is about what becomes possible when support is tailored to the individual, consistent over time, and rooted in their interests. ​

Epona exists to support this kind of work across multiple services and sites. The platform helps teams capture meaningful information about people, plan support effectively, and monitor change over time. It reduces the burden of paperwork and helps services demonstrate the quality and impact of their work. ​

If you are a provider or commissioner working with people who experience behavioural distress, and want to embed this kind of support more consistently, Epona may be able to help. ​ Let us know if you would like to see how it works.