Story by Sonia

Hello my name is Sonia from XX in XXX. I have Down’s Syndrome. I work 12 hours a week in my local Co-op. I have worked there for 16 years. My role is filling up the sandwich fridges. I really enjoy this. I enjoy talking to customers and I have a lovely work team.

My mum passed away in 2014. This was a difficult time for me. I moved out of my family home in 2017 which I shared with my mum, dad and two sisters. My dad moved to Spain so I moved in with my sister Nathalie.

My dad had spoken to me about moving back home and having support workers and house mates move in to live more of an independent life. I was unsure how I felt about this at first. I wasn’t sure how to share what was once my family home with potential strangers. After some thinking I came round to the idea so I was able to move back home.

2020 Covid hit us all… I struggled with this, I was furloughed from work and I was all of a sudden unable to go out to my usual social groups. During this time, I had my mum’s friend visit 3-4 times a week – luckily, she was in my social bubble. She made me feel at ease on tough days.

2021 and it was time for me to move back home and meet my potential new house mate.  I knew my new housemate from my social group Accuro. We started with Zoom meetings, which is when I also met my staff. In February 2021 my staff team came to the house to meet me. I really liked my staff and was very comfortable around them.  During a six week period my housemates and I met up.

In April 2021 XXX moved in. I was happy to finally be back home and with XXX who I already knew.  However, this was a hard time for me, i had to share my family home. I soon adapted and XXX and

I made it our home in a short time. XXX and I enjoy the same activities and we both had a love for dancing.

In August 2021 we met our final housemate, XX.  We did lots of things during our transition which included bowling, meals out and pamper evenings. We have done lots of fun things in the years we have lived together, with the help and support of my staff I’ve been to London to see ‘Hairspray the Musical’, the London Aquarium, farms and Jump Street.

I still attend my social group Accuro and I’ve started a new club called Thrive, which I love and have made lots of new friends. I have also made lots of new friends in another service.

I have joined the gym, which I regularly go to alongside my weekly stretch class and I have achieved many of my goals.  I am currently working on a new goal of building confidence in the swimming pool to be able to swim. Before the help and support of my staff i was scared of getting in the water, now i have faced the fear and look forward to my weekly sessions.

I enjoy my time with my staff and especially my 1-2-1 hours. I like to be very organised and keep everyone in line including my staff. I like to keep busy during the day but in the evenings, I like to relax on the sofa watching TV. I love meal planning and ‘come dine with me’ to cook for my housemates.  I am really enjoying independent living and Hilton Care has made this possible.

I am looking forward to many more adventures with my staff.