‘Such a big success’: Jessica, Olivia, Ryan, and Sam thrive at our newly-opened Chesterfield supported living service!

A new home, a new service, and new friends are all being enjoyed by Jessica, Olivia, Ryan, and Sam, who are thriving at Ox Close, our Chesterfield supported living service that opened last year.

Ox Close is a single-storey service in a leafy area of Clay Cross, a town near Chesterfield.

The service opened in November 2022, with four individuals moving in right away, with the assistance of eight support workers.

The four people we support at Ox Close are Jessica, Olivia, Ryan, and Sam. They’re all in their twenties. Let’s meet them!

Jessica:

Jessica, who’s the youngest of the four individuals we support at Ox Close, wanted a forever home. Since moving in, Jessica ‘has blossomed,’ says Georgia Hooley, Ox Close’s Registered Manager.

When Jessica first moved in, she found it difficult to interact with her support team, and Olivia, Ryan, and Sam. But after getting to know everyone, she now initiates conversations, and gets on well with people. Jessica also likes to make people drinks when they ask.

Jessica enjoys attending local social events. These include Dove Dance and Hi 5’s, a disco and youth social club for adults. These activities have enabled Jessica to meet new friends, ensuring she feels included socially and has developed her social skills.

For Jessica’s 21st birthday, her support team are planning a birthday party, a trip to Disney on Ice, and a separate trip to London to see the Lion King on stage.

Jessica says: “I love it at Ox Close. The best thing about it is I now live in a homely environment, with amazing staff who take me out to all different places.

“My favourite thing to do is going to the Dove Dance on a Wednesday and Hi 5’s on a Thursday.”

Olivia:

Olivia had previously lived with her parents, yet living at home had become difficult for her. She wanted more independence. Since moving to Ox Close, Olivia’s support team have supported her with daily living skills, and she’s been building relationships with everyone at the service. She’s closest with Jessica, who’s become a friend.

An ongoing part of Olivia’s life which she continues enjoying after moving to Ox Close is her regular trips to the Get Set day centre, where she enjoys further interactions with other people.

“Olivia has built a really good relationship with her peers who she now lives with, and is becoming more independent as the days go on,” says Georgia.

Olivia says: “The best thing about Ox Close is who I live with and my staff. Lifeways has continued to support me with being able to attend the day centre. I have also introduced Jessica to my friends. I love spending time with Jessica.”

Ryan:

Like Olivia, Ryan had also lived with his parents, and was briefly staying at a respite service, due to living at home becoming a struggle. Ryan was ready to move on and build his own life, and become more independent. Since moving in, Ryan has received 24-hour support, and has settled in well.

“He is being supported to partake in meaningful activities, everyday tasks such as household chores, and he is currently planning his first holiday with us,” says Georgia.

Ryan says: “My staff make me feel safe, and are following my set routines. Ox Close is now my home.”

Sam:

Sam has made “such a positive transition” to Ox Close, says Georgia.

He’s been enjoying living with people his own age, and is building relationships with them.

Sam currently attends Derby College, where he studies art, and is supported by his staff to do this. Sam also loves to go horse riding.

As a wheelchair user, Sam at first needed a lot of support with daily living skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and making himself drinks.

Thankfully for Sam, his support team recently made sure a height-adjustable worktop was installed for him, which means he can now complete some chores independently.

Sam says: “I like going to Build-a-Bear with my staff, and baking rice crispy cakes. I do love living at Ox Close.”

‘A big success’

Since its opening three months ago, Ox Close has been “such a big success,” says Georgia.

“The people we support seem happy and content in their new home with the support from our Lifeways team.

“Changing people’s lives is why we do the job,” she adds.

“It brings me so much happiness when I see the people we support happy and thriving and achieving their goals.”

It’s great to support you, Jessica, Olivia, Ryan, and Sam!

About Lifeways:

Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.

We support adults with diverse and complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions.

As the supported living sector’s largest team of professionals, Lifeways’ extensive experience and national reach mean we deliver extraordinary support to adults, enabling them to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community.

Our 11,000 colleagues currently support almost 5,000 individuals

who live in our 1,500 supported living and residential services across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Find out more about how we change people's lives at: www.lifeways.co.uk 