After 17 years in and out of secure hospitals, Leslie moved to Cauldon Place. In his own words, he shares how his life has changed.
Leslie wrote this journal in 2023. He shares the progress he has made since moving to Cauldon Place in Stoke-on-Trent.
About me
My name is Leslie. I have learning disabilities, autism and some mental health needs. I spent 17 years of my life in and out of secure mental health hospitals. Then I moved into my home at Cauldon Place.
When my anxiety was bad in hospital, lots of staff often restrained me. I was usually given medication, and now I have tardive dyskinesia. This makes me lack confidence when I communicate because my speech can be difficult to understand.
In hospital, I believed I couldn’t live in the community. Staff told me I was a risk to the public because of how I can behave when I am anxious. I could go out if “I was good.” That happened about once a week.
My life changing move
The Transforming Care Programme (Home not Hospitals) helped me move into the community. It took a lot of work to choose the right team and a home that could support me. I wanted to reach my goals and get the results I hoped for.
Before I moved, the Shelton team visited me in hospital. They took the time to get to know me. They learned about my interests and hobbies.
I moved to Cauldon Place in June 2021. At first, I went out in the community with two members of staff while I got to know my team. This built my confidence. Now I go out on my own or with one member of staff.
I live in a flat with less support than I had in hospital. I live with friends who have similar needs to me. I have made some great friendships since I moved in.
I am always happy when I am out doing things I enjoy. I also see my family regularly, and I often plan visits with my mum. I missed going home a lot when I was in hospital. My support team now has a close relationship with my family.
Making progress
Since moving to my new home, I have had professional support to help me use new ways of managing my anxieties and to help me reduce my medication safely. I have also been supported by the local speech and language team in building my confidence. I will now write down how I am feeling and do some breathing techniques which I learned from my psychologist.
I now very rarely become anxious and hit out, and I have been fully involved in all plans to support me to feel safe if I do. I have the capacity to be fully involved in all decisions for my care needs, which I lacked whilst in hospital settings.
I have been guiding the team on my choices and preferences on MAYBO techniques, which I feel safer with as they are centred on me as an individual. I am proud of how I no longer get angry all the time, and the happy life I am living.
Life is good
Since moving to Cauldon Place, I have enjoyed lots of day trips to the seaside, Alton Towers, the zoo, etc. I have also been on holiday again. These are all things I had not done since I was a child. I love being on holiday.
I had never been on an aeroplane before moving to Cauldon Place, but with the help of my support team, we made that dream come true! Now my next goal is to go to Gran Canaria.
Overall, my life is now a happy one, and I continue to be happy in my new home – I tell people I never want to leave. My family is happy now that I am out of the hospital and living my life doing all the things I enjoy with the right support team.
Read more about the incredible colleague who has supported Leslie’s journey.
