Meet Stephen
Stephen has been part of Achieve together for many years and is a much-loved member of Pen y Hill. Recently, he has faced significant health challenges and was supported through a major, life-changing procedure. The team worked closely together to ensure they had the right training and knowledge in place, so Stephen could return home safely with the support he needed. Throughout this time, Stephen’s positivity, humour and strength have continued to shine. He remains one of the biggest characters at Pen y Hill, bringing energy, warmth and plenty of smiles to the home.
First Steps
Following his procedure, Stephen needed to adapt to a new way of living, which he did with his usual sense of determination and a positive outlook.
The team also needed to adjust their support approach to make day-to-day life as comfortable and familiar as possible, helping to reduce the impact of the changes he had experienced.
Stephen continued to make people laugh, often joking with the team and showing his bubbly personality that everyone at Pen y Hill knows and loves. With encouragement and support, he has been able to return to many of the activities he enjoyed before. His resilience, confidence and sense of humour have played a huge part in helping him adjust.
Ongoing Support
Before Stephen returned home following his procedure, the team completed training to ensure they were confident supporting him with his stoma care and management.
They adapted their approach to meet his needs and help him feel safe, secure and comfortable. After a short stay in hospital and time to rest and recover, Stephen was ready to return to Pen y Hill.
The team continues to support him in a respectful and reassuring way, helping him adjust to the changes while maintaining his independence and enjoying the routines and activities that matter to him.
Stephen’s Progress
Since his surgery, Stephen’s confidence has grown and he has become more sociable as his health has improved.
He enjoys taking an active role at Pen y Hill and acts as the home’s fire marshal representative, supporting the manager with fire safety checks.
Stephen also enjoys arts and crafts, as well as creating Lego models, from smaller projects to more detailed designs. With one-to-one support, he regularly goes out for meals and attends local events. His other interests include animals, watching YouTube, listening to music and playing the guitar.
Looking to the Future
Looking ahead, Stephen would like to go on holiday for the first time. The team will support him as he works towards this goal at his own pace, beginning with a one-night stay before gradually building up to longer trips.
He would like to visit Cardiff, where he wants to explore the boutique shops and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
In the future, Stephen hopes to take a longer holiday to Tenby and experience everything the seaside town has to offer.
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