A positive resident journey - Autumn Leaf House
Hear from Rachel about her journey.
Rachel shares her story of her time at Autumn Leaf House, she has developed greater independence and discovered new opportunities to enjoy life. Rachel's journey from hospital, through residential care and towards supported living demonstrates what can be achieved when someone is given the time, consistency and encouragement to develop at their own pace.
When Rachel* first arrived at Autumn Leaf in 2020, she was beginning a new chapter in her life after moving from hospital into residential care.
Rachel has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a learning disability. When she first arrived, she could often appear withdrawn, confused and unhappy. She found it difficult to trust others and would frequently isolate herself, with limited interaction and conversation.
Today, Rachel is a very different person. With consistent, person-centred support from the team, she has grown in confidence, developed greater independence and discovered new opportunities to enjoy life and make choices about her future.
A carefully planned transition
Initially, Rachel required 2:1 support, day and night, to help maintain her wellbeing and safety. Over time, as Rachel’s confidence and independence developed, this support was gradually reduced to 1:1 support.
This progression has been achieved by taking the time to understand Rachel as an individual, listening to what matters to her and supporting her at a pace that feels right for her.
One of the most important parts of Rachel’s journey has been building a trusting relationship with the people supporting her.
Supporting Rachel to be herself
As Rachel’s confidence has grown, so have her experiences.
She has been supported to enjoy holidays abroad, including trips to Spain and Paris, France, giving her the opportunity to experience new places and create positive memories.
Rachel enjoys a wide range of activities and has developed interests that reflect her own personality and choices. She particularly enjoys:
Pamper sessions, including hair and make-up
Spa days and overnight stays
Concerts and music events
An important part of Rachel’s journey has been supporting her personal identity and aspirations. With the support of her staffing team, Rachel has been able to transition from male to female. The team has listened to Rachel’s wishes and supported her with the practical steps involved, including securing the documentation needed for her name change. This has been an important part of empowering Rachel to take control of her own life and make decisions about her future.
Staff describe seeing much more of Rachel’s personality, a face full of smiles and laughter.
Her progress has also opened up a new aspiration: moving from residential care into supported living. Rachel is currently working towards developing the skills and confidence she will need for this next step, with the aim of achieving this in 2026.
Looking towards the future
Her journey from hospital, through residential care and towards supported living demonstrates what can be achieved when someone is given the time, consistency and encouragement to develop at their own pace.
The team’s focus is now on helping Rachel continue building her independence while supporting her to achieve the goals that matter most to her.
Her aspirations include moving into supported living and continuing her journey of gender affirmation with appropriate specialist support.
*Name change to protect identity of resident