Tilly’s story
Having left residential care in Thetford, Tilly was keen to live a more independent life and felt that supported living would give her the independence she so desperately craved. Whilst waiting for the right opportunity to come along, Tilly went to stay with her aunt.
Having heard about a supported living vacancy in Attleborough, Tilly visited the property several times with her social worker and key workers from Attleborough Hub (where Tilly attends three days a week) to see if this would suit her needs and to meet her potential housemate Patsy, who is already being supported by the Empanda learning difficulties team at Oak Trees in Attleborough.
Tilly fell in love with the property and the Oak Trees team worked closely with her Social Worker to facilitate the move as soon as possible.
Whilst arrangements were being put in place, unfortunately, Tilly became very ill and was admitted to hospital. Tilly was born with Hydrocephalus and the two shunts she had fitted in her head had become infected. Her stay in hospital meant the move had to be put on hold for just over a month.
Thankfully she is now fully recovered and following a short holiday with her aunt and two cousins, with help from the Oak Trees team, Tilly finally moved into her new home on 5 August.
I caught up with Tilly just a few weeks after she moved in to find out a little bit about moving in day and how she was settling in.
Tilly explained that moving in was a hectic experience but with help from Debra Bray, Services Manager at Oak Trees, her five bags were soon unpacked and it wasn’t long before she was feeling at home and enjoying her new independence.
She told me that her housemate Patsy was a lovely lady and that she knew her before they became housemates as they had done pantomimes together in the past.
With support from the learning difficulties team, Tilly is learning the skills necessary to live more independently, including budgeting; cooking; day to day chores, including how to use a washing machine, cleaning and ironing; gardening; paying bills; opening a bank account; looking for any part-time or voluntary employment; and generally getting used to the area she lives in and sharing a tenancy with Patsy.
Tilly is able to go out into the community and has been accompanied into town while she gets used to her surroundings and understands the risks associated with going out on her own.
Her favourite tasks include washing up, hanging washing on the line and housework, and her least favourite are weeding and mowing the lawn because of her fear of insects. Tilly is also becoming more proficient with her cookery skills and takes it in turn with Patsy to prepare the evening meal. But mealtime is more than just cooking. Careful consideration goes into preparing the weekly shopping list and menu planning each Tuesday, ready for the supermarket shop the following day. Tilly is rather partial to chicken, rice and plenty of garlic, so these are shopping list regulars.
As well as learning new life skills, Tilly enjoys spending time on her hobbies which include knitting, adult colouring books and embroidery.
Tilly attends the Attleborough Hub three days a week where she enjoys various activities and outings including the ’29 club’, where she spends time doing crafts and music; coffee mornings and indoor sports. Fridays at the Hub are Tilly’s favourite, when she spends time at the local supermarket doing the weekly ‘recycling’ run, followed by a trip to McDonald’s for a McFlurry and then on to the weekly disco where she gets the chance to take the stage to sing along to her much-loved One Direction.
When asked about her aspirations for the future, Tilly replied, “I’d like to live here for a few years to gain new skills, but I’d love to move in with my boyfriend at some point in the future.”
We all wish Tilly lots of happiness in her new home as she starts her journey towards independent living.
