Across our services, we support people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs to pursue their goals, develop their skills and be active members in their community.
Explore the inspiring stories of the people we support making their communities stronger.
Located in Stoneygate, Toller Road is a specialist residential service that supports adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, including mental and physical health challenges.
With the support of Michelle Robertson, Activity Coordinator at the Cygnet Social Care service, Connor was able to start volunteering at his local Age UK.
The UK-wide charity supports older people by offering advice and practical community services.
Michelle said: “He has been volunteering with Age UK for the past four years and really enjoys doing this. Connor used to volunteer at another charity for two years prior, so he is dedicated to helping others. It is something he looks forward to and he is always excited to attend.”
Once a month, Connor sets up the tables, prepares refreshments and interacts with customers at the charity’s Memory Café, a welcoming space for those with dementia and their loved ones to connect and socialise.
“My favourite thing is serving tea and coffee and greeting the visitors as well as doing quizzes with them,” explained Connor.
“It makes me feel happy and relaxed. I like helping people with dementia and giving back to the community. I also remember everyone’s names that come and visit each month.”
Each volunteering session is helping Connor build not only essential skills but also a growing sense of independence and confidence.
“Connor’s volunteering is such an important part of his journey here at Toller Road. It has given him so much confidence being in the local community. He has come a long way since he started volunteering at Age UK,” explained Michelle.
“The whole team are very proud of his commitment and hard work. Connor has become so much more positive in himself, and he is such a polite young man.”
In recognition of his long-term contribution and commitment to the charity, Connor recently received a certificate demonstrating the positive impact the Cygnet Social Care resident is having.
Dan, a Team Leader at Age UK who has worked closely with Connor, said: “All of the members who attend love him. He talks to them about all sorts of things and has such a good rapport with everyone.
“Connor is always on hand to give our group members a warm welcome and make them feel happy. He shakes everyone’s hands when they come in and is so enthusiastic welcoming people and letting them know what the activities are. He always gets involved with the activities!
“Connor is just great and it is wonderful having him there. He is always happy to help and is an asset to the team.”
Bev and Courtney’s story has been shared as part of Cygnet Social Care’s ‘Cygnet in the Community’ campaign, which aims to showcase how residents within social care settings are undertaking inspiring and powerful work in their communities.
Thanks to the support of staff at Langdale House, a residential care service for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, the duo have become a powerful pillar of support in Huddersfield, using their time to give back to two local charities and a nearby residential care home.
Inspired by their passion to help others, Bev and Courtney were keen to contribute to their community so the Cygnet Social Care service made a sustained effort to turn this dream into a reality.
Sandra Delaney, Deputy Manager at Langdale House, said: “Our team worked closely with Bev and Courtney to identify what matched their interests and strengths. We helped them to build on their confidence before attending and provide support if needed during these volunteering sessions. Gradually, they have become a lot more independent.
“At Langdale House, we believe that everyone has something valuable to offer to their community. Bev and Courtney are a wonderful example of this. Giving their time, kindness and enthusiasm through volunteering has made a real difference not only to others but to themselves as well.”
For the last two years, the pair have been visiting the Norman Hudson Care Home in Huddersfield every other month to spend time chatting and playing games with the elderly residents, something they both look forward to.
Friendships and meaningful connections have been built between the volunteers and the care home, with Courtney sharing, “I love helping people. We have a latte and talk lots.”
The Cygnet Social Care residents’ commitment to helping others didn’t stop there and they soon became regular volunteers at a local cat rescue centre, Cats Protection Leeds, a cause they were particularly keen to get involved with.
Bev said: “I like helping the cats. I love cats, I can cuddle, stroke and feed them.”
After partnering with Bev in their drive to help others, Courtney’s confidence flourished and she decided to volunteer additionally by herself at the British Heart Foundation, where she sorts out customers’ donations and organises items ready for sale.
Courtney said: “Helping others makes me feel very happy. I like talking to the customers and sorting out the money.”
Sandra shared the huge change the Cygnet Social Care service has seen in the two residents: “Courtney is now much more comfortable speaking with customers, asking questions and working alongside other volunteers and members of the public. She takes great pride in helping the shop run smoothly.
“We are proud of both Bev and Courtney. They have grown in confidence, independence and self-esteem by developing new skills and forming friendships within the community. These two have gained a real sense of purpose.”
The impact has been profound, not just for Bev and Courtney, but also for the local community.
“By volunteering, those that meet them are able to get to know them and appreciate their caring and friendly personalities. This is helping to challenge perceptions and promote inclusion within the wider community,” explained Sandra.
“Their journey shows that volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It’s about belonging, building confidence, creating opportunities and proving that everyone has something important to contribute. Bev and Courtney truly are a powerful volunteering duo, making a lasting impact wherever they go while inspiring others to do the same.”
Angela, who has lived at <a href=”https://www.cygnetgroup.com/locations/oaklands/”>Oaklands</a>, a specialist residential service run by Cygnet Social Care, for the past four years, is making an impact in her local community by raising awareness and acceptance of urostomies and stomas.
A urostomy is an operation that creates a way for urine to leave the body through an opening in the stomach, called a stoma, into a bag worn on the outside of the body.
With the help of staff, Angela has created information cards about urostomies, which she is giving out to local businesses in the area with an aim to promote greater understanding.
Speaking about her motivation to do this, Angela said: “Sometimes my bag leaks and it’s embarrassing so I want people to learn about these things because we’re all human. It’s important for people in the community to understand this and to offer non-judgemental support.
“It feels nice to do this and I like to go out as the people are kind to me. Staff help me so much and I want to help other people.”
By talking openly about what a urostomy is, Angela is not only championing understanding and acceptance in her local community but also building her self-confidence.
For many years, Angela avoided visits to swimming pools and spas due to anxiety around her stoma.
But for the past four years, staff at the Hexham-based care service have supported Angela to boost her confidence around living with a stoma.
Thanks to the support of dedicated staff members and positive interactions in the local community, opportunities that once felt out of reach are now part of everyday life, with Angela enjoying regular spa days and trips to the swimming pool.
Ashleigh Yilmaz, Service Manager at Oaklands, highlighted the impressive change the team have seen in Angela since she started her awareness campaign.
“She has a lot more confidence and we are extremely proud to see the huge difference she has made in the community. To see people’s differences being openly accepted is lovely,” explained Ashleigh.
“It is important to us that our residents not only feel safe and comfortable at Oaklands but also feel the same in the community they live in.
“Here at Cygnet Social Care, we step in where we can to support our residents to build their knowledge and confidence around topics that aren’t talked about much.”
Angela’s story is being shared as part of Cygnet Social Care’s ‘Cygnet in the Community’ campaign, which aims to showcase how residents within social care settings are undertaking inspiring and powerful work in their communities.