At 19 years old, Lourdes’ life is buzzing with activity, social engagements, and a newly discovered confidence.
From the move from children’s services to adult services into her first supported living house felt like a daunting step. Today, Lourdes is happier, more independent, and incredibly busy!
Navigating the move from children’s to adult’s services
Lourdes moved into her supported living house when she turned 18. The transition from the structure of children’s services to adult services can often be challenging, but the supportive approach taken by Innovate Trust helped ease her anxieties.
Living in a shared house with one other housemate, Lourdes now has her own bedroom and living room, in vibrant and central part of Cardiff.
Building social confidence through community
Lourdes has wasted no time in making the most of her new independence. Her calendar is packed, reflecting her love for being active and sociable.
Lourdes is a huge fan of music and dance. She regularly attends Innovate Trust sessions, including Dance with Georgia, and loves the energy of live music with Greg.
Her passion for pop is clear. She also loves SVC’s monthly club nights. Lourdes is very sociable and is a big fan of girl bands, especially Little Mix!
Lourdes describes herself as “always up for trying new things”. She embraces every opportunity and has taken part in so many projects and activities, it’s hard to recall them all.
While she has discovered that gardening activities are not her thing, she is happy to try almost everything else.
Lourdes recently contributed to a film Innovate Trust made in collaboration with Transport For Wales about accessibility on trains, and took part in a photography project that including seeing her work feature in an online gallery.
Since joining Innovate Trust, Lourdes has made lots of friends and loves going to all the events and seeing them there.
Using technology to build autonomy
Lourdes uses technology to stay informed and help her stay on top of what is going on. She is an enthusiastic user of the Insight app, Innovate Trust’s own social media platform, now boasting over 2000 members.
She often uses her phone to screenshot things she sees that she is interested in. If she sees a notice or a poster, she will screenshot it and show to support staff in her house for them to follow up and book her on to.
This is a great example of her growing independence, taking the initiative to choose activities she wants to attend and communicating her interests clearly.
Thriving at Cardiff and Vale College
Despite a packed social life, Lourdes has focused on her education this year. She is currently a full-time student at Cardiff and Vale College, taking a course designed for young adults with a learning disability.
While this commitment means she cannot attend as many of her favourite activities, she is happy knowing that her social life will even out once the course is over.
Lourdes still manages to fit her busy social life in between college classes and weekends!
A perfect match through SVC’s Befriending project
Lourdes has also joined SVC’s Befriending project. This has resulted in a fantastic friendship with her volunteer befriender, Thi.
Thi and Lourdes are getting on incredibly well, often playing archery or pickleball together. Thi has met Lourdes for lunch at college, which really helped her to settle in to her course.
As well as their club nights, Lourdes also likes to attend the SVC coffee morning.
Shaping the future of support through advocacy
On top of her very busy schedule, Lourdes is an active member of Innovate Trust’s Accessible Policy Group, getting involved and having a say in how things are run within Innovate Trust.
Being part of our policy groups means that Lourdes has the opportunity to shape the support services for herself and her peers.
The best of both worlds
Lourdes’ family is fully supportive and pleased with her progress. She sees her parents every week, with her Mum taking her for a weekly haircut, and Sundays dedicated to family time.
Her family is happy with the service their daughter has received so far, and credit Lourdes’ brilliant house manager and support team for making the transition process, which could have been overwhelming, so much smoother.
Lourdes’ Mother, Manar, has embraced the chance to speak up about her experience of her daughter moving into supported living.
Last year she presented, with Lourdes, at a transition event explaining to other supported people and parents the benefits of Supported Living.
Supported Living has been amazing for Lourdes, it has developed her independence and improved our relationship. Now Lourdes is supported I can focus on being her mum!
A future of confidence
From an initially nervous 18-year-old facing a major life change, Lourdes is becoming a confident young woman who is embracing college, building friendships, and independently building a life she loves. We cannot wait to see what is next!
