Before moving into Roselea in 2014, Ali’s life felt much smaller.
Socialising was a challenge, leaving his home felt overwhelming, and he was anxious about visiting the community. When taking part in activities, Ali required PRN medication, and even then, stepping outside his comfort zone wasn’t easy.
The move to Roselea marked a big change and with that came uncertainty. Like many autistic people, change felt difficult for Ali, and this new chapter was daunting. When he first arrived, Ali required 1:1 support, and each new experience he embraced, needed reassurance, patience, and understanding. With tailored support from the team around him, Ali slowly began taking steps towards a fuller and more independent life.
Finding his voice and growing his confidence
Through our person-centred approach, Ali’s new team took the time to get to know him, understand his support needs, and empower him to build independence. They learnt what Ali liked and disliked and supported him to feel safe and in control.
As Ali felt more comfortable in his new environment, his confidence began to grow. He started communicating more easily and joined in with different activities in the home.
With increased confidence came a greater ability for Ali to express himself and make choices about the activities he wanted to take part in. This gave the team a deeper understanding into his personality, interests and passions. By building his support around the things Ali enjoyed most, the team saw him become happier, more engaged, and increasingly empowered in everyday life.
This is where Ali truly began to flourish. His quality of life had improved; he stopped taking naps every day and wanted to get involved more with activities in and out of the house. In a short amount of time, Roselea became a place where Ali felt comfortable, involved, and able to be himself.
Fulfilling a passion for trains
By getting to know Ali, his team learned he had a passion for trains. So, they quickly got to work and organised a dream trip to the Swindon train museum. When Ali found out what was planned, he couldn’t contain his excitement!
In the lead up to the trip, Ali’s team worked closely with him, so he felt included and comfortable. Supported by his amazing team, Ali enjoyed a great day out at the museum. Throughout the visit, Ali expressed interest in the exhibits, his face lit up when he pointed at the trains, and he even got the chance to get inside some of them. Ali was in his element and impressed his support team by naming many of the different types of trains on display. This was a new side to Ali, where his personality shone through and he had genuine joy and excitement for where he was.
After seeing what a positive experience this was for Ali, his team began to think about how they could build on it. They introduced the idea of using public transport, so he could venture out more when travelling by car wasn’t available. This would empower Ali to access the community more and develop his independence. Ali was first supported to travel by train. After building trust and reassurance, Ali thoroughly enjoyed his journey and couldn’t hide his smile. There was no stopping Ali now, his next step was catching the bus. That too was a success, and his team couldn’t be prouder!
Today, Ali happily travels by both bus and train, opening a world of new activities and experiences. His love for trains continues to grow, and he now has a goal for the future… to travel on a steam train!
What started as a love for trains, has transformed into a big step forward in independence!
A bright future
Since moving to Roselea, Ali’s journey has been one of growth and independence. He is now communicating easier with those around him, joining in with activities at home and in the community, and embracing new experiences. With his newfound confidence using public transport, Ali is exploring even more of the world around him. He’s blossomed into a happier, more confident person, and no longer needs PRN medication.
By taking the time to truly understand Ali, the team have helped him discover what brings him joy. He now has meaningful interests and hobbies, along with a sense of purpose and a positive future.
Ali isn’t just participating in life; he’s living it to the full. Watch this space, we can’t wait to see what’s next!
Find out more
At Voyage Care, we provide specialist support for autistic adults across the UK. Our expert teams deliver high-quality care, designed specifically around your individual needs, interests, and preferences.