Caroline

Tell us about your support.

I’ve been here for only two years. I lived with my dad until I was twelve and I now go to my dad's at weekends.

I live in one of the four flats that share communal areas. I get supported time on cooking, cleaning, shopping, financial matters. And I get company in social time because I’m not good with crowds.

What do you think of the support?

I love it here. I didn’t start to live until I moved here. I didn’t go out much when I was little because I was bullied. I couldn’t cook or anything before, now I can!

Aiden (my support worker) is a laugh – all the staff here are brilliant, they're like family. The best thing I did was come here. And the fresh air, the garden – it’s nice and it’s quiet. We’ve got a great park nearby as well – Woodthorpe Park. And it’s green! A few months ago we had the snow – it was like an Olympic event!

I’m going to start a garden, I’ve been making bead bracelets and I love to bake. I’ve taken some cakes to the Regional Service User Group and the conference planning group and they seem to like them.

What do you do at a Regional Service User Group?

We talk about different things to make the service better. I didn’t go out a lot until I went there. It’s great to meet new people and make new friends. And it’s good for my confidence.

And I’m part of a planning group for a conference. That’s been great – and it’s kept me busy! Coming up with ideas, talking about what will happen, who’s going to be doing what.

I’ve written my life story and Aiden has helped me with my life map. I’ve put down my dreams, what I want for my future and these sorts. At the service user conference I want to show it off to others.

What’s for the future?

My friend Guy has just moved into his flat. I’m not ready to move on yet, maybe I’ll move on later this year, but I suffer depression and illnesses so I might not be ready.

I’ve got five GCSEs and I’ve been to college. I did a year of health and social care and I’d like to do that. I tend to look after everyone, try to look after them – probably better than what I do myself. I babysat for my nephews, two of them have special needs, and I’m very close with my sisters.

 

Caroline lives at an accommodation-based learning disabilities support service in Nottingham.

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