"I left a long career in retail to pursue my passion and make a difference to the lives of people with a learning disability and along with my amazing team we support around 26 people of different ages, with different levels of intellectual ability. They are like an ‘extended family.’ We know there’s no ‘one-size fits all’ approach when it comes to caring for someone with a learning disability. Our job is to help them access the best opportunities and lead the life they want. It’s highly skilled and rewarding important work. We help to advocate for people, particularly when someone finds it harder to advocate for themselves or communicate in a way that’s different to what we typically understand or expect in society."

We feel close to everyone we work with but a career highlight has been seeing love blossom between two of our residents - Barry, 67, and Betty, 78, a disabled couple living in opposite houses. We helped their relationship to flourish, even resulting in a marriage proposal!"

- Shahid

"Betty has a learning disability and cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Barry has the same lifelong conditions and is registered deaf. We help them in the ways some people might expect – such as supporting their personal care routines, choosing their clothes, meals, and daily activities - but we have also really helped them have a loving relationship. People are surprised by their connection when they meet them; by the fact they found love at their age. I’d never encountered anything like their relationship before.

We worked closely with Barry and Betty to bring new opportunities into their lives and give them the agency
to make choices as a couple. I made sure they had time together at each other’s homes and that it was built into their care plans, arranging ‘dates’ to the cinema and the local theatre. I got Barry his own disability passport and car so he has more flexibility to go where he wants, such as for physiotherapy at the local pool, to a local boxing tournament, and even on holidays. My team even helped Barry with his marriage proposal to Betty, and choosing her engagement ring! 

We’re enabling Betty and Barry to live the lives they want and deserve and it’s the greatest privilege to do that."

Shahid
- Service Manager at Churchfields, a Mencap- supported living service in Witham, Essex