The family of a courageous teenager who has captured the heart of his local community is on the lookout for a new carer to help him and his family.
Grant McTaggart, 18, of West Kilbride, has additional health needs, but his family and a team of carers have gone the extra mile in making sure he can lead a fulfilling life.
Grant lives at home in Hyndman Road, Seamill, with his mum, Elaine, and dad, Morris and brother Glen.
He recently left school at Lockhart Campus in Stevenston, and now needs another member to join his care team - who his family have called 'Team Grant' - and assist with his needs.
He is a well known face in West Kilbride and beyond - partly down to an innovative 'novel-hiding' challenge that's been running in the area for the last three years.
Though Grant is unable to speak, read or write, he still loves books, and wanted other people to share in that enjoyment.
His 'look for a book' scheme started back in 2019 and, after a break during the pandemic, is now back up and running, with Grant and his mum Elaine travelling far and wide to hide books for people young and old to find.
It all started when Grant found a book amongst some flowers at Tesco in Kilmarnock, from a group who has started something similar in the town.
Elaine and his care team then collected books they thought people would love, bagged them up in weatherproof pouches, and hid them around West Kilbride, Largs and the Three Towns.
Grant has a number of health issues which means he requires 24/7 support with all activities of daily living, throughout the day and night.
From being able to go on outdoor walks in the countryside, to shopping visits and late night trips to McDonald's, Grant is otherwise just like any other teenager and enjoys chilled out “home spa” nights.
'Team Grant' has been jointly funded by the North Ayrshire health and social care partnership (HSCP) since 2009, helping Grant and his family at home, in hospital and in the community.
Grant and his care team even have their own website - www.teamgrant.org - where Grant is described as "handsome, brave and just a little bit cheeky" and as having a "love of fun and adventure".
The book-hunting initiative was such a success that Elaine hopes to see Grant, with the help of his team of carers, getting more involved in other aspects of community life.
She said: "It has been a big year for Grant. He has just left school and done his end of year prom - and we are now expanding his team.
"We have a solid team, and have employed some of the staff since Grant was three and a half.
"Continuity has been a big thing - he likes to live a full life, and although he has very complex needs, we want to make sure he has the right team to help him live a really good life.
"Grant loves nothing more than being in the outdoors. He loves trees, forests and going on the ferry to visit Millport or Dunoon.
"The ferry and the waves provides an extraordinary sensory experience for Grant - and he loves nothing better than a day out rounded off with an ice cream."
As a growing teenager, Grant is a bundle of energy at six foot one. He's a fast walker, who loves outdoor paths, so any new carer would require a good degree of physical fitness.
Over the years, Grant has had great care and attention from his carers, and his family are full of praise for all their hard work in helping him stay happy and fulfilled - something they are hoping will continue as he moved into adulthood.
Elaine said: "We have had people from all walks of life - from students who have gone away to study for their degrees, only to return as full-time carers, to a qualified English teacher who left her school role to become a full-time carer.
"Grant is someone who values compassionate care and nurturing, and likes a laugh - he loves music and dancing. He also has a passion for dinosaurs."
Elaine, a former occupational therapist with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, is also full of gratitude for the support provided by North Ayrshire's health and social care partnership throughout Grant's life so far.
"They have always been so supportive and have supplied funding and grants to provide carers since Grant was a young boy," she said.
"He would otherwise have had to be in hospital a lot more than he has - and this has helped Grant live as fulfilling a life as possible."
For more details about joining Team Grant, go to www.teamgrant.org
Please note that no qualifications are necessary as all training will be provided for the role. The closing date is 25 July.
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