Lifeways’ support helps skydiving dream come true

A daredevil living in a Lifeways Supported Living service has fulfilled his dream of completing a skydive with the help of his support worker.

Makye, 20, from Doncaster, was supported to do the jump in March 2025 after his support worker surprised him with the gift of a lifetime for his birthday.

Makye said: “I just thought that it was something I wanted to do in my lifetime. I wasn’t scared because once I was up there, there was no turning back. I couldn’t breathe or anything on the way down. It was over quite quickly, and my first thought was how cold my hands were.”

Kylie Crompton, Makye’s support worker, said: “This all came about after we’d achieved Makye’s first goal of joining the gym. I asked him what else he wanted to do and he said he wanted to jump out of a plane. Makye and I have a bond where we like to joke around a lot, so I had to get a colleague to ask him a few questions about it to make sure he was serious. After that I booked it all for him and surprised him on his birthday. I think I was more nervous than he was on the day!”

The skydive was the latest step on Makye’s support journey, having recently joined a gym and enrolled on a performing arts course. Kylie said: “He’s come so far since we’ve been working together. He struggled for confidence to begin with and we’ve worked really hard to get him out of his shell and get over little hurdles. Now, he’s smashing life.

“For his performing arts course, Makye rehearsed and performed a song and it was amazing. I had tears in my eyes watching him, because no one would believe the change in him from when he first came to us.”

The unique environment of performing arts is one in which Makye says he thrives on. He said: “I get a bit anxious, especially when I’m sitting down and have to stay still. So I enjoy an environment where I get to move around and express myself.” In order to keep the adrenaline flowing, Makye has already set his next goal with the help of Kylie. He said: “I want to do a bungee jump. The fear is what I find interesting. I’ve found that talking to your support workers, giving them a chance to help, you can achieve your goals.”