Meet Caitlin
Caitlin lives in one of our supported living schemes in Leyland.
Caitlin, 22, has been living in her home since April this year. To make sure it was right for her, Caitlin visited three times beforehand to meet the other tenants and the support staff. “The move was alright, I felt I had a lot of support,” she says. “Nathan was the other person living here at the time and he made me feel so at home”. It’s her first home away from her grandmother, who she had been living with since she was aged six. She shares her home with Nathan and Theo, and they often enjoy games and movie nights together.
The support team from local support provider Brothers of Charity have taught Caitlin to prepare her own meals. Caitlin said: “The team have helped me with the meal prep and I have freedom over my meal choices.” The support team have also helped Caitlin with learning how to budget and how to do housework. “I’m a visual learner, so I’ve learnt from them by watching how they clean and repeating it.”
Caitlin completed an animal studies course at college which she really enjoyed. “I love animals. I remember when my Dad bought a fish tank, I was mesmerised by how pretty the fish were. Then I moved to my grandparents’ house and my grandfather had a few animals which sparked my passion!”
Caitlin has lots of interests including drawing, gaming, and learning new languages - she is currently learning to speak Swedish.
Music is another hobby and Caitlin is learning to play the ukulele. She can now play happy birthday and has plans to learn the SpongeBob theme tune. Next on her list is learning how to play the piano.
Caitlin has praised the help she receives from her support workers which has enabled her to live more independently and make her own choices. “I’ve had more independence since I moved here. I feel more like an adult than ‘baby-sitted’,” she says.
“If you want to move into supported living, do it, you won’t regret it,” advises Caitlin. “If I’m struggling, the team are more than happy to help and support me.”
You can watch Caitlin’s video here, which was filmed as part of Progress Housing Group’s Annual Report (RWP is a subsidiary of Progress Housing Group):