For people with learning disabilities moving out can be one of life’s most daunting milestones. However, with the right support, it doesn’t need to be so scary.
This article was supplied to us by Sanctuary – a leading housing and care provider in England and Scotland – and details the story of how Liam, a 24-year-old with learning disabilities, managed to pluck up enough courage to move out on his own.
Just two years ago, Liam was unsure of how to manage everyday tasks and lacked the confidence to live independently. Struggling particularly with emotional management and aggressive behaviours, he lived at home with his parents which meant he hadn’t yet gained the skills needed to handle everyday life on his own. However, feeling overwhelmed by his circumstances, Liam was referred from Norfolk County Council and became one of the first tenants at the new supported living service at Oak Lodge, a programme that changed his life for the better.
Liam pictured after just moving into his first home independently.
The new service has opened in Attleborough and comes as part of Sanctuary Supported Living – a programme that was founded over 50 years ago.
During his time at Oak Lodge, the skillset Liam obtained can be described as nothing short of exceptional. Through working alongside his project worker James, Liam, step-by-step, has learnt how to tackle the challenges of building life skills from budgeting to building social relationships. Some of his key achievements include securing a paid job at Domino’s, striking up a friendship with the police beat manager and becoming a familiar face at a pub run by the mayor’s family.
The triumphs, however, don’t stop there. Liam continued to make strides in his personal growth by taking on a more active role in making Oak Lodge feel like home. From suggesting ideas for decorating the space, to taking part in resident meetings, Liam’s involvement played a key part in shaping the service to better meet the needs of the people who live there.
‘I felt overwhelmed when I joined the service and things were difficult, but I stuck with it and now I am getting my own property,’ Liam said. ‘I think the support has been good, and there should be more services out there like this to help people with their independence.’
‘Sanctuary Supported Living is the best thing that happened to me, and I wish I had known about it sooner. All of the staff have been amazing,’ he continued.
Though these wins may seem small to some, to Liam they’re everything. To give context, the latest research from Mencap shows a significant portion of people with learning disabilities struggle with everyday tasks. Experts found that nearly one in three young people with a learning disability spend less than an hour outside their home on a typical day.
Expressing her pride for how far Liam has come, Gemma Martin, local service manager at Sanctuary Supported Living, added: ‘We are extremely proud of the progress Liam has made and are excited for him to be our first resident to officially move on to living independently. Despite some difficult times, Liam has worked hard, building his confidence and skills to be ready to move on to his own independent property. We are looking forward to him having a bright and positive future.’
Photo supplied by Sanctuary Supported Living
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