National Learning Disability Week 2015

To celebrate Learning Disability Week Hillcrest Learning Disabilities Services spoke to one of its residents about life with Hillcrest.

Damien has lived at The Old Vicarage in Uxbridge since it opened in 2005. Damien has a very active life; he attends evening social groups, takes part in yoga and goes to the gym.
He also enjoys socialising with his friends, going to the pub and to coffee shops.

At The Old Vicarage Damien is supported by his key worker John.

“I talk to John about things that are on my mind, he helps me with this.”

He has recently been doing work experience in a coffee shop and works at a stall in a local shopping centre once a week, where he sells home-made jams and chutneys. He makes these with a group of students at college. It’s a very rewarding project.
Damien attends West London Community College five days a week and really enjoys it.

“The activities I do at the college give me structure and make me feel good about myself.”

He went up to Edinburgh Festival to perform in the college play

“I felt nervous at first but then I was ok and it felt like an achievement. It made people aware of autism.”

At the moment Damien is practicing travel training and other life skills to prepare him for life away from the home. He is looking forward to becoming more independent and moving on to supported living soon.