In order to thrive, each one of us needs connection, support, love and understanding. We need a sense of belonging and a place to call home.
But four years ago, while living in a nursing home, those things seemed far out of reach for Tracey. She was surrounded by people yet felt utterly alone. Friends were passing away. Her depression and seizures were getting worse.
“I didn’t feel comfortable there. I didn’t fit in or feel like I belonged. I was treated like a number, not a person.“
Tracey was desperate to get out of there. Stories like this are all too common.
But it’s exactly why we are here. To make a positive impact on people of all ages and abilities. To give them the space they need to be themselves. And to ensure those with complex disabilities have the love and care to belong and thrive.
With your support, together we can change this.
Please make a generous donation today to help even more people like Tracey find a place to call home and live the life they deserve.
When Tracey moved into Scope’s Byron House – a Supported Independent Living (SIL) space that gives people with disability a place to call home – her zest for life returned.
As SIL Coordinator Suzanne Langford recalls, that first night was one she will never forget:
“Tracey put all her furniture in place, jewellery on the wall, pictures on the bedside table, and came out to me and said: ‘this feels like home’. I know we say that a lot but she really did mean it and I could see that.”
With an experienced and compassionate team of support workers, we help residents to live as independently as possible. We are on hand to:
- Help with daily living tasks like showering and dressing, cooking and eating, cleaning and shopping.
- Empower residents to follow their passions and achieve their goals.
- Connect people with other like-minded housemates and foster a sense of belonging.
For Tracey, that meant reclaiming her individuality and creativity. Soon, Tracey started reading again, writing letters, painting and setting goals for her future, as she beautifully describes in a letter to Byron House staff:
“The difference I find in myself is indescribable. I can be me – something I haven’t been able to for years. It’s like I’m a trapped bird that’s finally free. Byron house feels like home. And the staff feel like family.”
By giving Tracey the support she needed to live independently in a safe, homely and nurturing environment, her self-confidence flourished.
