“I CAN BREATHE AGAIN – SHE IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE”

If you saw Sarah and Jenny chatting together, watching TV in their bungalow, you would think they had been friends for years. In fact, a year ago they did not know each other well, but staff at Reach identified that both needed new homes, and that they would get on well together.

Jenny had been living at home with her parents, but she was ready for more independence. Sarah had lived independently for 25 years, in both shared accommodation and on her own, but neither had worked well for her.

Moving to a new home is a big step, so Beverley Rayner, then Transitions Co-ordinator at Reach, worked with them before the move, and the Reach Care team also ensured they had time to get to know each other by meeting up socially over a couple of months. They then went together to buy pots and pans for their new home.

Both were able to keep their existing support workers, and in just a few months, the team and their parents saw a big change in Jenny and Sarah, and that they have developed a genuine friendship.

For Jenny’s parents, Cathy and Steve, it was a big step to see their daughter leave home for the first time, but Cathy says “Jenny has settled better than we could have hoped. It seems to have affected us more! But as I have had health problems over the last year, it has happened at the right time.

Jenny’s speech has improved so much since she moved in with Sarah. She now talks in much longer sentences than before. She also helps with chores around the house, which she didn’t want to do when living with us.

“Jenny and Sarah are a good match – they complement each other. Jenny is always out and about, so that has encouraged Sarah to try more things. Sarah is very aware of Jenny, and thinks the world of her.”

As Sarah says with a big smile - “It’s been really good!”

Jackie, Sarah’s mother, says “I have seen a massive improvement – she is really happy, and I am happy as I know that she’s happy. I can breathe again – she is in the right place. She became very withdrawn and down when living on her own, but now she is so much chattier, telling me all about the things she is doing, and getting back to how she was before. “One of the biggest breakthroughs is that she decided to go on a Reach holiday, which she had not wanted to do previously, and she really enjoyed it.”