Service users success stories

Linda arrived at Liberty Court, a modern development of one and two bedroom flats for people with epilepsy after living in a residential service. Linda is originally from Kent and grew up in a residential placement there where she received care for her epilepsy, and behavioural needs. Since moving to Liberty Court, Linda explains that she has grown more confident and really enjoys spending time with the staff and other service users. She has been instrumental in organising events with staff and service users such as; a car boot sale, sponsored walks, and helping to secure great deals for shows in London for groups other service users.

Previously, Linda experienced extremely unhappy periods in her life. Her epilepsy was severe, and her behaviour often extremely challenging, at one stage leading to a period of detention under the Mental Health Act. She had moved from placement to placement without much success, until finally she arrived at a specialist supported living service which provides care and support for people with epilepsy and behavioural issues.

Linda now has much improved seizure control. Without doubt this has improved her quality of life, and has made her a happier person, so her behaviour has improved too. Initially she was receiving intense one to one support. Her progress is such that she has now moved to supported living where she still benefits from 24 hour waking staff support.

From the time she arrived she developed a plan for her independence, focusing primarily on developing her household management skills and communication skills. She is now working with her flatmate on managing a budget for the flat, paying utilities bills, and cooking, while developing travel and interview skills as she looks for paid work.

Linda received travel training and is now a confident traveller, so much so that she helps others who are less confident. She organises a group to go shopping, to the gym, to eat out or to the cinema and encourages service users who are less confident to join in. Linda especially likes travelling to new places and has helped organize a group to go on a holiday to Jamaica and Cyprus.

Socialising is something Linda has become very good at. She spends lots of time with other service users both at home and outside. She is now looking for a paid job, having previously worked in a café. She would like to work with animals such as dogs or cats. 

Supported living has given Linda so much confidence that she hopes one day, to live alone in her own flat. Her progress has been nothing short of remarkable. Linda explains that her happiness is down to the independence offered through supported living, “everyone is able to help me if I need it, but they let me work things out first on my own.” Linda likes the staff and is happier than ever before. She doesn’t feel angry and unhappy anymore and works with the staff through her problems rather than getting angry, frustrated, and upset.

Staff encourage Linda to lead an active life and she feels this has helped her value her independence and learn to take responsibility for her own decisions. She hopes that people like her find similar supported living. Linda says: ‘It is lots of fun and there are load more things to do, making friends and going out, than anywhere else I have been. I enjoy working on a budget with my flatmate; we go out a lot together but also work out what needs to be spent on things for the flat together.’