Making a house a home

At Lifeways’ The Haven service, the new Registered Manager, Daniel Thomas, has been committed to ensuring that the three male residents live the fullest lives possible, in more ways than one.  

Today, three men who once lived highly isolated lives are now swimming together, exercising together, making meals together and building friendships inside a home that truly feels like theirs. 

For Daniel and his team, that transformation is what great support should look like. 

Creating a calm, stable environment 

The three gentlemen living at The Haven residential care service in Brighton each arrived with complex histories and high levels of need. Before moving in, life for some had been dominated by anxiety, withdrawal, challenging behaviours and limited engagement with others. 

One person spent most of his time alone in his bedroom, rarely interacting, not joining in activities, and finding everyday life overwhelming. 

Others struggled with trust, communication and routine. Transitions into the service were gradual, taking months of patient work and consistency from the support team. 

Daniel explains that trust was the foundation: “For some people we support, the biggest question is simply: who can I trust? Once you answer that with consistency, everything else can begin.” 

Rather than forcing change, the team focused on creating safety with familiar faces, predictable routines, calm support and respect for each person’s pace. 

That steady approach has transformed life inside the home. 

Forming friendship  

Perhaps the biggest success story is one that cannot be measured on a chart: The three men are now friends. 

They choose to spend time together. They go swimming together, walking together, watch movies together and take part in exercise sessions in their own home. 

Instead of three separate lives lived behind closed doors, there is now laughter, companionship and a sense of belonging. 

Daniel describes the atmosphere simply: “It feels like a real home now.” 

A fresh approach to food 

When Daniel joined the service in April 2025, he brought with him the belief that healthy eating creates a healthier lifestyle, and that different food types can impact on mood and emotional stability.  

Combined with Lifeways funding a brand-new kitchen last year, ensuring an easier food preparation area for the people we support, Daniel and Deputy Manager Wayne Allen decided to introduce a fresh, four-week rolling menu with two meal choices each day. Meals are cooked fresh, and individuals are encouraged to choose what they want and take part in preparing it using accessible step-by-step guidance provided by Lifeways, to support to assist with healthy diets and ensure a great dining experience in all services.  

The results have been remarkable: 

• One gentleman has lost 5kg 

• Another has lost 3kg 

• Another, who was significantly underweight, struggling to eat and drink enough and required specialist support, has now gained nearly 4kg and developed a much healthier relationship with food. 

But the real success runs deeper than numbers. 

One man who previously would only come downstairs to eat and then immediately return to his room now helps prepare lunch, butters bread, adds fillings, clears away afterwards and loads the dishwasher. 

Another, who once rejected vegetables entirely, now eats them happily as part of meals. 

Daniel said: “Wayne worked tirelessly to ensure food options are made and chosen by the people we support, and for those who lacked capacity, we reached out to families for them to make a best interest decision based on individual preference.   

“This ensured that team members were not making choices for them, but family inclusion continued to help close the gap between communication, preparation and choice." 

Communication that builds security 

The team has also invested heavily in communication support. 

Drawing on his background in behaviour and communication, Daniel has introduced Makaton training for team members, next-step boards, visual aids and personalised communication tools throughout the home. 

Even simple changes, such as showing who is working each day, help residents feel informed and safe. 

“Imagine people moving around your home and not knowing who they are or what’s happening? Small communication tools make a huge difference,” Daniel said. 

Supporting independence 

The next chapter at The Haven is already underway. 

Two residents are being supported to move into downstairs spaces better suited to their mobility and future goals. 

One room includes access to a sensory space and easier movement around the home. Another resident is moving into an annex designed to build independence and prepare for more supported living opportunities in future. 

Daniel is passionate that placements must always be right for the people already living there: “This is their home. We don’t disrupt lives just to fill rooms. It has to be the right fit.” 

That philosophy speaks volumes about the culture of the service. 

Dreams for the future 

Support at The Haven is not only about today - it is about possibility. 

Plans are already being explored for independent holidays, milestone celebrations and new life experiences. 

One gentleman dreams of going to Disneyland Paris, and another is preparing for a special 30th birthday celebration with family and friends travelling from around the country. 

These are the moments that matter: joy, choice and connection made possible through extraordinary support. 

More than just care 

What is happening at The Haven is not just about day-to-day care delivery. 

It is people regaining health, families seeing hope, individuals discovering friendship, team members creating stability and a house becoming a home. 

And perhaps most importantly, it is proof that when support is built on patience, respect and belief in people, lives can move forward in ways once thought impossible.