Hayley’s life is full of good days

When Hayley moved into her FitzRoy home a year ago, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “It has been hard sometimes,” she says  “but mostly it’s been fun.”

After a serious head injury, Hayley had frequent seizures and spent several years in hospital recovering. Life there was quiet but restrictive. “I used to have lots and lots of fits,” she explains. “I’d fall down constantly, and it was really painful – I once had 50 stitches in my head.”

Now, with the right support around her, things have changed. “Since I’ve been here, I do well and there’s no fits,” she says proudly. “Even my mum says how much better I am.”

For Hayley, the key has been having staff who understand her and know how to help her stay calm.
“They make it easier on me. If I get stressed, I call staff straight away so it doesn’t get out of hand. They don’t boss me around – they tell me it’s ok to have a bad day. That really helps.”

Her team have supported her gradually to settle in, building her confidence step by step. “I was scared at first, but they eased me into a routine here. I’d come for lunch, then tea, stay a few hours, get used to the noise and the town. Then I wasn’t as scared anymore. I got used to the place, used to the noise and it started to feel like home.”

Today, Hayley talks about her home with warmth and pride. Her flat is filled with things she loves – windchimes, photos she’s taken herself and her favourite picture of New York on the wall.

“I take a lot of pictures now,” she says, showing her camera. “I love it.”

What shines through most when Hayley talks about her life is the connection she’s built with her support workers.

“Charlotte is like my best friend, and Nicki is my friend too,” she smiles. “They support me by not bossing me around. They tell me it’s ok if I have a bad day.”

Her son and nephew visit often – they laugh together in the garden or use the outdoor gym equipment.

“They both call it home too,” Hayley says proudly.

Hayley’s life is now full of good days – trips to the pub or her favourite bakery, table-tennis games and picnics in the garden. The fear she felt when she first moved in has been replaced by laughter and belonging.

“Staff are there to support you if you want it,” she says. “And now I don’t have so many bad days anymore – I have good days. Really good days.”