Angela's stay at Haymill

Angela, now 20, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Over the years, her family faced increasing challenges, especially as she grew older. By 17, Angela was struggling to sleep and becoming increasingly distressed. Her family, already exhausted, didn’t know where to turn. She had been excluded from her day support, and the situation at home was becoming extremely challenging. Her younger sibling was also being affected by the stress and sleepless nights. 

After exploring different support options, the council social work team suggested respite. The family was hesitant at first, unsure of what kind of support Angela would receive. Haymill quickly proved to be a turning point. “We were quite fearful of how Angela would be supported,” says her father. “As a family you always want the best for your child.” 

When Angela first arrived at Haymill, she was very anxious. She would only sit by the entrance door, even during meals. With patient, consistent support from the team, she slowly began to feel safe. Over time, she moved from the doorway to the lounge, and eventually to the dining table. 

Angela stayed at Haymill from Tuesday to Friday. Angela’s dad remembers that “Respite gave us an opportunity to have a break, get some sleep. It gave us time to recover…the difference the team made was really felt. They made us feel included and wanted to help. Angela always came back well dressed and happy. It took away a lot of the worry.”

The team at Haymill also supported her next steps in life. When she moved into supported living, they helped introduce her to the new team and discuss her interests and what she enjoyed. Angela’s father says “The support Angela received was beyond our expectations. We continue to benchmark her experience at Haymill against other support” 

Today Angela also attends a local activity centre three times a week and continues to build on the progress she has made. Her family remain thankful for the support at Haymill. After years of searching for the right support, they found a place that truly understood Angela.