Lifeways' Darren enjoys dream day at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium

A lifelong Liverpool FC supporter enjoyed a memorable day at Anfield thanks to the support of his team at Lifeways. 

Darren, who lives at Ivy Cottage supported living service in Stoke-on-Trent and has been supported by Lifeways for more than 15 years, recently visited the famous stadium for a special tour, something he had chosen as a personal goal for the year.  

At the start of each year, Darren’s support team work with him to identify goals and experiences he would like to achieve. Because Darren has limited verbal communication, the team use a combination of pictures, options and observation of his body language, facial expressions and sounds to understand his preferences.

When presented with a choice of activities for this year, Darren made it clear he wanted to visit Liverpool Football Club’s iconic stadium. Darren travelled to Anfield with one of his key workers and the service team leader, where he enjoyed exploring the stadium and seeing the club’s trophies up close. 

Samantha Harrington, Service Manager at Ivy Cottage, shared how recent changes have made a real difference in Darren’s life: “Darren lives with severe cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but with the right support he continues to enjoy a rich and fulfilling life. 

"Recently he has gained access to his own mobility vehicle, which has opened up many more opportunities for trips and activities. He had a fantastic day at Liverpool Football Club. You could see how much he loved it. He was smiling in all the pictures and really enjoyed being there.”

The team are already planning Darren’s next adventure, a trip to the seaside. Darren’s mum, who is also a Liverpool supporter, was delighted he was able to enjoy such a special day. 

The trip is a great example of how personalised support helps people supported by Lifeways pursue the things that matter most to them, whether that’s visiting a football stadium, exploring new places, or simply enjoying meaningful experiences.