Transition experiences

Every young person’s transition journey is different and personal to them. Our Transitions team provide the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals and aspirations.

Below are some stories of young people’s transition journeys and experiences.

Luke’s transition journey

Luke has Autism and a learning disability. Luke made it clear that he would like to live away from his family home. Through the help of the Transitions team, he now can. To ensure that the move from home to living independently was as smooth as possible, Luke first went for dinner at the supported living accommodation before visiting for a day.  Then eventually, after an overnight stay, Luke felt comfortable in the surroundings, had got to know his future flatmates, and felt ready for the move.

Initially, Luke moved into supported living with 24-hour support. But he will now be moving to another supported living location with less care support.

Luke has enjoyed the freedom that living independently has given him. After moving out of his parent’s house he said he was scared.  But after a while he realised that it isn’t scary but it’s free and fulfilling. He has coped with the move by focusing on one day at a time, not worrying about too far in the future and through support and reassurance from the Transitions team. He now enjoys not having to live by so many rules and regulations.

Through working in a charity shop and supermarket, Luke improved his communication and social skills.  He had to learn to talk to a diverse range of people. Luke’s future career aspirations have been shaped by his courses at college. After taking a course in equality and diversity, it taught him that when people come together, they can do amazing things. Now Luke wants a career where he can help people.

Florence’s transition journey

Florence has a diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome and learning disabilities.

Florence moved from her family home into supported living in February 2020 with the support of the Transitions team. The Transitions team assessed what sort of living would be best suited to Florence’s needs.

Florence spoke about how excited she was when offered the opportunity to move into supported living accommodation. After first seeing the flat she was so excited that she kept ringing the team to ask when she could move in. She initially found it difficult but has enjoyed living with others. Living away from home has developed her confidence by learning to live with new people who have now become close friends.

The team helped her throughout the process by assisting her in developing the necessary skills to live independently, such as budgeting, washing, cleaning, and travelling. Through being initially assisted with how to cook and be safe in the kitchen, Florence can now cook on her own. Florence has also been supported to manage her tenancy independently, building relationships inside and outside of the house and learning how to keep herself safe when travelling.

Florence’s family now feel able to take a step back and allow her to flourish independently.  Her Personal Assistants (PAs) and the support staff of her accommodation continue to promote and support Florence in all areas of her Support Plan.

Sam’s transition journey

Sam is 28 years old and has short-term memory loss. Sam moved out of his family home in August 2020 and has settled in well in his supported living accommodation.

The Transitions team helped Sam throughout the process, which was challenging as Sam prefers a routine behaviour pattern. The team has helped Sam by supporting him to manage his tenancy, meal planning, showing him how to travel independently and supporting him in communicating with people such as benefits advisers.

Living independently has allowed Sam to understand better what he wants to do in the future and enjoys the social side of supported living. He also enjoys being able to choose what he wants to eat and when. Sam has learnt how to budget as at first, he was not responsible with his money and would splurge his wages on food, drinks and PS4 games.

He currently works in a coffee shop, which he is enjoying as he gets to meet new people every day and earn his own money. Sam continues to receive travel training when travelling to new places but has learnt how to get around the borough by using google maps and his freedom pass.

Sam wants to live on his own one day and is making good progress with the help of his support team.