Nathan's move from Ashbrook to Deepdale

Nathan’s progression to greater independence following an acquired brain injury

When we last caught up with Nathan, he was living at Ashbrook Neuro Rehabilitation following a motorcycle accident and a long hospital stay. With personal determination and person-centred support, Nathan has now moved to a more independent living environment, where he continues to achieve goals.

The slow-stream rehabilitation Nathan received at Ashbrook empowered his determination to achieve greater independence, rebuild lost skills, and get back to doing the things he loves.

Our person-centred progression model of support enabled Nathan to achieve positive recovery outcomes, leading to him no longer needing 24-hour support.

To reflect his changing needs, Nathan felt ready to progress into Deepdale, a more independent residential environment.

Supporting Nathan’s transition to Deepdale

Nathan moved into Deepdale in September 2025. To help with the transition, Nathan and his family visited the Preston-based residential service on several occasions so he could get a feel for the home.

Both Nathan and his mum were confident that Deepdale was the right next step in his recovery journey. It provided a more homely atmosphere and allowed him to remain close to his family.

Katie Robinson, registered manager at Deepdale, said:

“Throughout the transition, I maintained regular contact with Nathan to answer any questions and ensure he felt supported and informed. I also received comprehensive handovers from the professionals involved in his support at Ashbrook to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.

“As part of this process, the Ashbrook team supported Nathan's referral to the Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team, enabling him to transition seamlessly into community-based therapy and continue working toward his rehabilitation goals without interruption.

“Altogether, these steps demonstrated Nathan’s readiness to progress to a more independent, community-focused setting.”

Developing independent living skills

Nathan was actively involved in shaping his updated support plan during his transition to Deepdale. He shared valuable insights into his life before the accident, his personal goals, and the approaches that work best for him.

Nathan continues to gain independence through his personal determination and ongoing personalised support. 

He told us:

“Deepdale was the right next step for me, providing the right level of support in the next stage of my recovery journey. “I independently manage all personal care now, something I needed support with when I first moved into Ashbrook.

“In the kitchen, I'm currently focusing on functional abilities, like balance, etc, while washing my pots. I'm sure I could handle this once I'm functionally able, especially after my surgery and my hand is cooperative.

“I also go to the local gym daily, which I love. I've regained active extension of my affected arm by using this arm bike.”

Empowering Nathan with his passions

Music is a huge part of Nathan’s life. Before the motorcycle accident, he was in a band and played the guitar. One of his ultimate goals is to get back with the band.

We asked Nathan how his musical skills are developing since moving into Deepdale. He told us:

“I'm awaiting lengthening surgery, but I've found an application to play guitar on. I still know my way around the fretboard and even remember specific riffs.”

Katie added:

“Nathan is a bright, engaging character whose humour and banter shine through despite the life-changing and often daunting journey he has been on. He shows determination and has a strong understanding of his own condition and what he needs to do to improve. With the right support, encouragement, and his own drive, Nathan is well on his way to achieving further progress and working toward the independent life he is striving to regain.”

Progression model of support

National Care Group’s progression model focuses on providing the right accommodation and support for people at any stage of life.

This means we provide opportunities for people to develop skills and gain greater control over their lives in capable environments. It encourages people to achieve their potential, enabling them to achieve positive outcomes and greater control over their lives.

Read more about how we provide the highest standards of support.

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