Member Article

Independent Living is LifeLong Dream

Number one on Andrew’s bucket list has now been achieved. Andrew’s lifelong dream of living independently with autism has become a reality with the help and support of autism care specialists Goldcrest House.

The former Goldcrest House resident now lives independently in his own apartment. Goldcrest provide three hours a day support from care staff who visit every morning and evening to assist and support Andrew with the basics of independent living such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, as well as prompting Andrew to tidy up.

When ask what independent living meant to him, Andrew replied: “It has given me the opportunity to live in my own apartment, and the freedom to live my own life with the security of knowing that staff are there for support should I need it.

“Independent living has proved to me my family and friends that I can be trusted. I have learnt new skills; I pay the rent and electric, cook my meals – my best and favourite meal is curry, it’s my speciality.”

Ralph Parish, registered manager at Goldcrest House says: “We are really proud of Andrew, he had a lot of self-doubt about leaving Goldcrest House but this soon disappeared once he found his routine.

He has a good social life in the locality, has learnt how tend to domestic duties, such as hovering, dusting, washing and ironing, and he’s really made the flat his own with pictures of family – he even has a ‘house rules’ sign! Andrew says he’s moving down his bucket list now with travel and holidays next“

Based on Boothferry Road Goldcrest House is a centre of excellence dedicated to addressing the individual needs of adults over 18 affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder and learning difficulties. It provides residential care, supported living, long and short term respite care, day services and outreach to meet the varied needs of those who access the service 52 weeks a year; its aim is to be the UK’s quality service of choice.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Goldcrest House .