‘This is a dream come true for me’: Martyn moves into Tipton supported living service
For the past three years, Martyn had attempted to get housing which comes coupled with support to meet his needs – but met with no luck until Lifeways supported him to move into his own brand-new, purpose-built apartment.
Martyn, who’s in his early twenties, had been offered placements in shared housing, but wasn’t happy with the options available. Martyn had not been offered his own flat, which he felt he needed for his own personal growth.
To secure an appropriate service, a trio was formed by Martyn, Martyn’s mum, Julie, and Jolene Instan, a Lifeways Enquiry, Referral and Assessment Manager.
Success
After three months of highlighting Martyn’s case to the local authorities, Martyn was finally able to get his own place. He now lives in his own flat in Savery Gardens in Tipton, near Birmingham.
Savery Gardens is a brand-new Lifeways’ supported living service, made up of 20 self-contained one-bedroom apartments arranged over three floors.
The supported living service is purpose-built to support people who live with learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, or physical disabilities.
At the service, Martyn enjoys the best of both worlds: independence and privacy, coupled with support from his support team, when he needs or desires it.
‘My biggest achievement’
“This is a dream come true for me, because this is my biggest achievement really,” says Martyn.
Martyn says his apartment is ‘really nice’ and that his support team are ‘all very friendly.’
Since moving in, he’s been enjoying living life at his own pace, in his own style.
On a day-to-day basis, Martyn usually does “little bit of shopping, pay my bills, and go out on a little bit of a daytrip with the others who live in their own flats.”
Recently, he and several other individuals we support at Savery Gardens went to feed the ducks at a nearby pond, and stopped for some drinks at the pub.
“I’m feeling happier and very positive, being in this position now, I’m learning how to cope by myself,” says Martyn.
Congratulations, Martyn – and we’re delighted you like your new apartment!
About Lifeways:
Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.
Our 11,000 colleagues currently support almost 5,000 individuals who live in our 1,500 supported living and residential services across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Find out more about how we change people's lives at: www.lifeways.co.uk
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