Steven’s new chapter
How Steven built confidence, reconnected with his mum and embraced new opportunities after moving to our Essex care home.
Steven is a huge wrestling and football fan who also enjoys colouring, puzzles and games. He loves spending time with friends and loved ones and, more recently, trying new experiences.
When Steven moved into our Essex care home last September, he was facing one of the biggest changes of his life. He had lived in with support for around 25 years but after a long stay in hospital, he needed more support with his mobility and it became clear that going back to his previous home was no longer the best option for him.
Moving somewhere new after so many years would be daunting for anyone. The team knew it would take time for Steven to settle in. They understood that getting to know Steven and building trust was the most important first step. When he first moved in, he mostly kept to himself, spending much of his time in his room and choosing not to socialise with his housemates.
Rather than rushing him, the team gave Steven the time and space he needed. They gently encouraged him, starting with the little things. A walk to the local shop to buy his favourite treats. Lunch out. A trip to a café. Before long, he was socialising more with his housemates, whether that’s having a chat or going out to a disco, and just enjoying himself more.
Steven’s confidence grew with every new experience and today the difference is huge. He enjoys getting out and about regularly, spending time with his housemates and now attends health appointments with much less anxiety. He’s taken control over his life, making more choices and asking for things he wants.
One of the most special moments has been reconnecting with his mum. She lives in a care home and for many years they hadn’t been able to spend time together. Since moving to his FitzRoy home, Steven has been supported to visit her again. When he visited recently, they sat holding hands the whole time, a really special moment for both of them.
Steven has also built strong friendships with the people he lives with. While he still enjoys having his own space he’s spending more time chatting with his housemates, visitors and staff.
Alongside his love of wrestling, football, colouring, puzzles and games, Steven is enjoying new experiences and discovering opportunities he might never have imagined just a year ago.