Before moving to Wigan, John’s world had become incredibly small. For around 18 months, he hadn’t been outside. He was rarely dressed, and staff supported him from a distance due to how he had been perceived. He was often described in negative terms, and it was believed he couldn’t communicate verbally. The support around him focused on managing risks, rather than understanding who John was or what he might be capable of.
When John arrived in Wigan, staff took a different approach, one built on relationships, patience, and belief in his potential. They focused on getting to know him, building trust, and supporting him at his own pace in a calm and safe environment. As his confidence grew, so did understanding of his personality and abilities, leading to a move to Tanfield supported accommodation where he could become more independent and connected to others.
The change in John has been remarkable. Once isolated and withdrawn, he is now engaging with the world around him, building relationships, trying new activities, and developing new skills, becoming more independent, confident, and connected, with a significantly improved quality of life. His journey has also had a wider ripple effect, helping staff and services see what’s possible when people are supported differently, and reinforcing the importance of seeing the person first to shape more compassionate, effective support.
Alongside the personal transformation, there has also been a significant reduction in cost. Moving to supported living has reduced the cost of John’s care by around £120,000 per year. Without this approach, he would likely have remained in high-cost, restrictive placement, with limited opportunity for change.