For the past decade, Gloucestershire couple John and Kate have been travelling nearly 200 miles to visit their son Mark at his residential school in Yorkshire. But that is now all set to change following successful transition planning which means 19-year-old Mark will soon be living in a newly-converted bungalow less than four miles from home, run by Kentwood, part of Lifeways.
As Kate explained: “We are thrilled that Mark is going to be placed so near to home with a company that is keen to meet his needs, not only medically but also socially.
“He’s now ready to leave school and will enjoy the opportunities that being an adult will provide for him. This will be a much smaller environment and I think he will be able to blossom even more.”
Mark has profound and multiple learning disabilities as a result of a genetic disorder. He has respiratory problems and seizures that require prompt medical attention. He also has limited communication and mobility and uses a wheelchair to get around.
Home Manager Chrissy Jewel has been preparing for Mark’s arrival and has been busy buying furniture and ensuring the right equipment is in place.
She said: “These things do take time to prepare as we need to make sure we have everything ready for Mark before he gets here and all the staff have to be trained in the right procedures. It’s also slightly more complicated as he is moving from another county.
“But by the time the school term is over, everything will be ready – and Mark will be able to move in with us and the other service users here and make new friends.”
For Kate and John, and Mark’s older sister Anne, it will be a wonderful homecoming.
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