“My heart is at ease”

As we celebrate Learning Disability Week, we met Amy, who is just settling into her first independent home, away from mum and dad.

Amy has lived with various disabilities from a very young age, but she has never let it stop her. Her mum has always instilled in her the belief that she can do absolutely anything she puts her mind to.

Taking the first step

Amy moved into one of our registered care services only last week – her first time away from home. It’s been a huge step for both her and her mum, Jane, but they’re secure in the knowledge that Amy has found the right place, with the right support to help her live as independently as possible and follow her passions.

With a love of fashion, Amy is dedicated to expanding her skillset. After three years exploring different artistic disciplines, she’s already excited about starting a fourth year at a local art college.

A journey to the right home

The road to finding a new home hasn’t been smooth. Amy’s move to the service marks the end of a three- to four-year journey to find somewhere that truly meets her needs. But she feels that her new home has been worth the wait.

Her own bungalow, in a supportive setting with 24/7 support on hand, is the perfect place for her. And with it located just down the road from the family home, Jane couldn’t be happier.

Amy explains: “For so long it’s been my goal to have my own place. Having a place of my own means so much.”

“Here I’ll have a support plan designed just for me. And I’ll get support with things like cooking, cleaning, getting ready in the morning, shopping and taking my medication.”

With her own accessible kitchen, Amy is learning how to cook her own meals – including her favourite dish of rice, beans and chicken. It’s not quite as good as her mum’s just yet, but Jane is always on hand to drop over some leftovers to order!

Looking ahead

After years of searching, Amy is now in the right place, with the right support: “I get to be independent here and less reliant on people. Mum has always taught me that I can do anything I want, and not to let my disabilities hold me back.”

Jane adds: “All the support workers here are so friendly and from the first time we met everyone, we knew she’d be ok here. My heart is at ease with her being here.”

Find out more about the care and support services NCHA has to offer.

And if you’re looking for a career in care, please take a look at our job pages.