Nathan is a person we support at one of our supported living homes in Greater Manchester. Since being with us, his life has changed in ways he never thought possible!
Nathan is 25 years old and has a learning disability. He’s funny, friendly, determined and most importantly, proud of how far he has come!
Before moving to Voyage Care five years ago, Nathan was anxious, unsure and not believing in himself. His story is one of growth, confidence and a tale of how far you can come with the right support.
Nathan understands how it feels to be misunderstood – for people to see a diagnosis before they see him. He wants to share his story to help people like him get to where he is and feel the way he feels. This is Nathan’s story.
“I want to share my life story with you, because maybe someone out there is where I used to be — scared, unsure, not believing in themselves. If that’s you, I hope my story shows you what’s possible when you’re given the right support!”
Nathan
Growing up as Nathan
Nathan was born in Burnley and grew up in Bolton with his family. He’s always had a big heart and been close to his mum and dad – family means the world to Nathan.
Nathan initially moved into supported living at the young age of 12, as he needed more support than his family could give him at the time. This was an emotional time for him, as he moved around a few different homes trying to find the right place for him – often feeling unsettled, unheard or unsafe. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, he wanted to be understood and listened to so that his needs could be met.
“It wasn’t because my family didn’t care — it was because I needed more support than they could give. It broke my heart a little.”
Nathan
School was hard for Nathan. He found he didn’t fit in and felt anxious a lot of the time. He couldn’t learn the way others did, and he would shut down and bottle up how he was feeling, struggling in silence. He ended up moving schools to somewhere that understood his needs and explained things differently – this gave Nathan the confidence that he could succeed in the future.
Being understood
Nathan moved to one of our supported living homes five years ago after a breakdown at his current placement. Instantly he felt welcomed and knew this would be a safe space for him to thrive.
When he first arrived, he needed two-to-one support all day and night, and he lacked trust in the team and in himself. But the team spent time learning all about Nathan, not just his diagnosis, and created a tailored support plan tailored to him.
Fast forward to 2025 and Nathan only needs one-to-one support eight hours a day! He manages his anxiety and has learnt how to stay calm and better express his feelings. He feels like he’s gone from surviving, to living a fulfilled life. This is the longest Nathan has stayed in one service… and it has now truly become his home.
“From the moment I walked through the door, everything changed. The team didn’t judge me. They welcomed me with a smile. They made me feel like I mattered.”
Nathan
Nathan’s achievements
Nathan has learnt skills in the past few years he didn’t think he could achieve. He helps around the house with laundry and tidying up, and he’s even helped paint one of the walls in the home.
He’s lost weight through planning meals with the team, exercising and learning to cook for himself – he’s healthier and happier than ever.
One of his favourite things to do is go to football every Monday. He also enjoys going to the cinema, shopping, and going to restaurants. He loves taking walks in nature to feel calm and now has the freedom he didn’t think he could have before.
This year Nathan was able to have a full week holiday to Wales! He stayed in a caravan by the sea, enjoying ice cream and arcade games. With no anxiety, Nathan felt free to have fun and be happy, having one of the best weeks of his life.
Nathan visits his mum and dad every two weeks, which is so important to him. Seeing his family gives Nathan something to look forward to. What makes Nathan the happiest is hearing how proud his parents are of him and how far he has come.
“They’ve told me they’re proud of me. And now… I can finally say it too. I’m proud of me!”
Nathan
Dreams for the future
Nathan has already come a long way, but he’s still got big dreams for the future. He wants to go on a plane for the first time to visit Disneyland – a place he’s always wanted to go.
He also wants to volunteer with animals or at a garden centre. He’s ready to keep learning, growing and above all, proving he is capable of anything he sets his mind to.
Nathan is not a diagnosis. He is a man, a friend, a fighter and he’s only just getting started.