When housemates become best friends: Christy and Jyoti’s story
Two people we support moved into a Lifeways supported living service near Leicester – and became not just housemates, but best friends.
Christy is in her late twenties. She had several previous placements with other providers which hadn’t worked out. In late 2020, she moved to our newly-opened supported living service, a modern three-bed semi-detached house.
Shortly afterwards, a housemate moved in. However, the two individuals enjoyed a different pace of life, which meant the individual left some time later.
For a while, Christy enjoyed her one-to-one time with her support team, and thrived under this arrangement.
Due to initial concerns by her support team that Christy might not enjoy having a new housemate, our support team worked hard to find another individual who would be suitable.
Enter Jyoti, who’s in her early forties. Jyoti had lived at home for all her life but sadly had lost her mum the previous year.
Caption: Christy and Jyoti enjoy an ice cream by Leicester's Waterside development.
Alongside her dad, Jyoti came to visit the service to meet Christy several times – and the two individuals soon found they got on very well.
Settling in
In summer 2022, Jyoti moved to the shared house, and immediately settled in, and soon became best friends with Christy.
Both Christy and Jyoti share lots of interests – including dancing, seeing shows, shopping, walks and picnics in the park. The two recently went on a boat trip, and over the Christmas season took a ride on the Great Central Railway’s Winter Wonderland train.
Caption: Jyoti and Christy meet Santa on the Winter Wonderland train!
While at home, the two friends enjoy playing video games, bingo, artwork, and singing karaoke.
“There is never a dull moment with Christy and Jyoti making jokes,” says Phyllis Gibson, their Service Manager.
“Both of them are big Spice Girls fans, and like to copy their dance routines and to try to get our team to do these routines correctly!”
Caption: Christy and Jyoti enjoy a 'fakeaway' - making their own pizzas!
Christy and Jyoti’s home is well-equipped to support both individuals. With three bedrooms, there’s one staff sleep-in room for overnight support. Downstairs there’s a lounge, dining area and a shared kitchen – where a lot of the fun takes place.
Pizza nights
On Fridays, Christy and Jyoti decide what takeaway-style food they’d like to make, and are supported to shop for the ingredients with their support team. Home-made pizzas are their favourite – and both friends are competitive on who can do the best job at the washing up.
Caption: Jyoti and Christy enjoy another fresh, home-cooked meal!
Jyoti recently celebrated her 40th birthday – her very first one at the service. The support team threw a surprise party for her, and Christy was delighted to give Jyoti her own present.
Jyoti’s holiday
Shortly afterwards, Jyoti’s dad took her on a two-week holiday to Majorca.
“Although Jyoti had been abroad before, it was when her mother was alive,” says Phyllis. “She was a little nervous. Her dad expressed he didn’t know what kind of things she would need for the trip.”
Caption: Christy and Jyoti relax on the sofa in their Leicester home.
To help out, Jyoti’s team took her shopping several times to support her to choose new clothes, shoes, and anything else she needed. The team also sorted out her medications, and arranged them into a regimen for Jyoti and her dad to easily follow.
“It’s been really inspiring to see Christy and Jyoti become such firm friends,” says Phyllis. “As their support team, we’ve had the privilege of seeing both individuals grow, thrive, and enjoy greater independence – with each other for company and extra support.”
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.
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