Delrose: A home full of life, confidence and new possibilities

Delrose, a Lifeways residential care service in Southampton, has undergone a remarkable transformation driven by one clear purpose: supporting people to live fuller, more connected lives. At the heart of that change is Registered Manager Kerry Drake, whose hands-on leadership and belief in people’s potential has reshaped both daily life at the home and the culture of support around it. 

While Delrose was recently recognised with a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission, Kerry believes the true measure of success goes far beyond inspection outcomes: 

“It’s not just about ratings. The real story is the people we support, their progression, their confidence, their lives. That’s what matters. We are now seeing someone walk confidently into a supermarket after years of anxiety. Spontaneous trips out for ice cream. Bedrooms decorated and personalised by the people we support and in the sound of laughter and music filling the home. These may seem like ordinary moments, but they tell an extraordinary story of people increasing their confidence and independence.” 

Rather than leading from an office, Kerry has worked directly alongside the team and the people supported, modelling approaches, building consistency and showing what is possible with patience, ambition and trust. 

That philosophy has guided every change. The team has shifted its focus to ‘opportunity’ 

“We’ve approached everything with the mindset of ‘why not?’. Why can’t people do more, experience more and have more choice?” Kerry explained. 

The team say this approach has brought new energy and momentum to Delrose, encouraging the team to think creatively and work alongside people in ways that build confidence and independence. 

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioner Jules O Donovan, who has works with the service for said the difference has been striking. 

“There’s been a real focus on development and opportunity. The PBS team offer guidance and tools, but Kerry has been the one carrying it through day to day. She’s led from the front and kept the momentum going. 

The impact is visible throughout the home. People are more involved in daily life, preparing meals, using the kitchen, choosing activities, shopping, travelling in the community and enjoying greater independence in ways that matter to them as individuals.” 

Mark 

Mark, who has a learning disability and autism, has always had a strong interest in supermarkets. He knows the layouts, the special offers and the opening times in impressive detail, and shopping has long been something he enjoys and talks about with enthusiasm. 

However, for a period, anxiety began to make supermarket visits more challenging, meaning those outings needed more support and reassurance. The focus at Delrose was not on taking that interest away, but on helping Mark feel comfortable and confident enough to enjoy it again in the way that mattered to him. 

Rebuilding that confidence took time, patience and consistency. Kerry initially supported Mark alongside the team, staying with him through longer, more challenging visits and making sure each experience ended positively. 

Today, Mark can be found enjoying regular supermarket trips. He walks confidently into stores, browses the aisles, chooses gifts for others, pays at the till, packs his own bags, and always makes time for a café stop. 

Those small, repeated successes have led to lasting progress. Mark now looks forward to outings, happily insisting on café visits and his growing confidence is reflected back at home too. He takes pride in his bedroom, welcomes the team into his personal space and enjoys choosing his clothes, colours and styles. 

For Mark’s family, seeing him enjoy everyday moments independently has been incredibly meaningful. When they received a photo of him having breakfast and a pistachio latte in a supermarket café, they described it as ‘Nothing short of an absolute miracle’. 

Marks Mum Deborah commented: “We as a family are overwhelmed with how Mark has come on. Never would we have thought that he would be able to enjoy outings, which include regular trips shopping which he thoroughly enjoys and also sits comfortably without behaviour issues in a café to receive coffee and cake. The biggest achievement, is he is now able to come to the family homes for a quick visit. Marks physical abilities and speech has also come on in leaps and bounds. We are so grateful Mark has this new refreshing quality of life.” 

Alongside these changes, Mark’s physical health has also benefited. As he has become more mobile and confident, his fitness has improved significantly. 

“We have seen a significant improvement in Marks health as a result of focused support with changing his diet following feedback from his family. He now runs up and down the corridor. Before, he would be out of breath after just a few steps. His confidence has really grown.” Kerry said. 

Julian 

Julian, who has a severe learning disability and Down’s syndrome, communicates using a combination of Makaton, visual prompts and vocalisations that are well understood by his team who know him best. He has always enjoyed routine, familiarity and meaningful relationships with those around him. 

Over time, the team at Delrose have worked closely with Julian to gently extend his experiences and opportunities in ways that feel right for him. Julian now enjoys regular walks to local shops, cafés and parks, often motivated by the promise of a favourite treat or ice cream. 

“Once he’d done it a few times, it just became part of his normal routine,” said PBS Practitioner Jules O’Donovan. “It’s built naturally from there.” 

Inside the home, the team also reflected on how Julian experienced his personal space. Like many people who have lived in more structured settings, Julian was used to bedrooms being practical rather than personal. Working with him, the team gradually introduced personalised touches to help his room feel more like his own. 

Knowing how much he enjoys photographs of himself, his team added cushions, blankets and wall prints featuring pictures of Julian, small changes that made a big difference. 

“He absolutely loved it,” Jules said. “It’s about helping someone feel that this truly is their home.” 

A home full of life 

Across Delrose, similar stories are everywhere: people baking, learning new skills, spending more time outdoors and accessing parts of their community that once felt out of reach. The atmosphere in the home reflects that progress. 

“It’s loud, it’s fun, it’s working,” Kerry said. “It’s full of personality, if the house is quiet, that’s because everyone’s asleep!” 

For Kerry, the focus remains firmly on the people supported and the team around them. 

“I’m proud of the team for embracing new ways of thinking and working so hard. But the real story is always the people we support, their confidence and their progression.”