‘I’m really excited’: Sam leaves Lifeways service in Worcester to start a new life with her partner!

Sam, who we support, has gone from living at her parents’ house, then moving to a Lifeways supported living service, and has now started a new life with her partner – all within five years!

Sam, who’s in her thirties, had been living with her parents in Worcester, while working a long-held job at a supermarket.

Then, in the summer of 2017, she moved to her own purpose-built apartment at Baskerville Hall, our Worcester supported living service.

This move was the first time Sam lived away from the family home.

Building skills

Since arriving at the Lifeways service, Sam, who kept up her supermarket job, began to boost her independent living skills.

“Since living at Baskerville Hall I’ve learnt how to cook, do my housework and do my own laundry,” says Sam.

*Sam's learned to cook, do housework and laundry at our Lifeways supported living service - so she's all set to live in her new home!*

“This has made me more independent and confident in my abilities to move out of supported living,” she adds.

New love

Independence wasn’t Sam’s only next step.

Sam had been friends with her now-partner, Dan, for a decade. In 2019, the two began chatting over social media and met up for a few dates. Their new relationship was going well – until COVID hit.

“It was a very stressful time,” Sam recalls.

However, not even a global pandemic could keep the couple apart.

“We still spoke every day, and it was at that point we became boyfriend and girlfriend,” says Sam.

*Sam's sitting in the garden of her new home. Having a 'beautiful garden' was a clincher for Sam!*

Earlier this year, Sam and Dan decided to look at starting a life together. With the support of Sam’s parents, the couple found a one-bedroom house for rent, complete with what she calls a “lovely small garden.”

The house, which is near Baskerville Hall, is also conveniently in walking distance of both Sam’s job and her parents’ house.

Starting life together

Sam’s delighted to start her new life with Dan.

“I’m really excited to be moving in with Dan and having a bit more independence,” says Sam. “We love spending time together.”

After a half-decade of receiving support, Sam’s been building up her confidence for the move, which she made earlier this month.

“I’m still very nervous [at the thought of] not having the support of the team 24/7,” Sam says.

*Sam's all set to begin her new life with her partner Dan, in her new home!*

“I am so grateful for all the help and support they have given me over the past five years and I will miss both them and the other tenants very much,” she adds.

It’s been awesome supporting you with your independent living skills, Sam - and best wishes for your new life!

About Baskerville Hall:

Baskerville Hall is a Lifeways supported living service in Worcester.

The service contains 12 self-contained one-bedroom apartments, each with a living room, kitchen, hallway, and bathroom.

The service also contains communal areas, such as a garden for spending time outdoors.

About Lifeways:

Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.

We support adults with diverse and complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions.

As the supported living sector’s largest team of professionals, Lifeways’ extensive experience and national reach mean we deliver extraordinary support to adults, enabling them to live fulfilling and independent lives 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.