TEENAGER WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES HAS LIFE TRANSFORMED
19-year-old Josh has recently welcomed specialist care provider, Care Horizons into his life. Prior to September last year, when his family decided to appoint Care Horizons to give Josh professional support and mentoring, Josh was reluctant to leave the house or socialise as he has a learning disability and epilepsy. Inherently a fun-loving young man with a passion for laughter and music, Josh had become increasingly quiet, preferring to keep himself to himself. With Care Horizons’ support, he is now living life to the full, thanks to the skills, kindness and patience of his support workers.
Josh is visited by his support workers twice a week, from the Care Horizons team, for four hours at a time. The rest of the week, Josh attends a local college which he has been attending for the past 2 years.
“Care Horizons has been really good”, says Josh. “It has been extremely helpful to have someone visit and they’re such good company! We love to get out and about, especially when the weather is fine, and the laughing is endless.”
Josh is a keen DJ, and inspired by musicians in his family, his dream is to be a red coat at Butlins. “I absolutely love music. It really makes me happy, and I can see how much joy it brings to other people.”
“Josh is phenomenally entertaining”, says his mum, Cherie. “A career in the limelight would be a great fit for him, and the Care Horizons team have really helped by bringing him out of his shell. They’re very caring, which we hadn’t found with our previous provider, and Josh has taken a real shine to his carers, Andrew and Agnieszka.”
“Before starting with Care Horizons, Josh didn’t really want to go out and socialise. He was very happy staying at home, but their support has helped him get out of this habit and he loves nothing more than a trip somewhere new with the team.”
Over the festive period, Josh and his Care Horizons team were regulars at the local Christmas markets, sampling all the delicious fayre, and he hopes trips like these can continue in the spring.
“There is a great music centre in Yate”, continues Josh, “which we have visited a couple of times, and I hope we can continue this year.”
Andrew, Josh’s support worker, has noticed a real improvement in Josh since he began their work together.
“Since working with Care Horizons, we have seen a marked improvement”, says Andrew. “He has been encouraged to look for opportunities to volunteer and also to join the local music group where he can practice with different instruments in an environment that encourages his passion for music and performing.”
Care Horizons prides itself on the personal offering it offers each and every one of its clients, which has led to a national and regional recognition.
