Harry and his support worker Nick, who has supported Harry for 13 years, discuss their relationship. Harry and Nick highlight that through supported living with Mencap, Harry has been empowered to do things for himself while having the right support when he needs it. Together, they have worked through significant life challenges, and celebrated remarkable achievements, including Harry losing more than five stone and becoming far more active and confident. 

Harry is a 62-year-old man with a learning disability who lives independently in Mencap supported living and is supported by three support workers, including Nick, who has been alongside him for 13 years.

When asked about his supported living experience with Mencap, Harry said “They let you do things yourself for your own ability – they show you how to do things yourself. They’re always here if I need them but as Nick will explain I do things myself.”

Nick added “What supported living means to me is supporting someone with everyday life with all the aspects of what you would do yourself in your own personal life so help with paying bills, help with laundry, help with tidying, help to going to activities – everything you do in your own personal life you enable the person you support to do as well with support. So, it’s not restricting anybody, it’s not restricting Harry, it’s enabling him to do what he wants to do to the best of his ability, with that added extra support”

Harry works as an Inclusion Consultant at Mencap, an ad-hoc paid role he loves because it keeps him busy and makes him happy. As part of his job, he helps interview prospective employees joining the organisation. Nick, Harry’s supported worker commented “The most rewarding part about being a support worker is seeing Harry thrive. Seeing him do well from where he’s been to where he is now – the journey has just been amazing.”

In recent years, with support from Nick, Harry has made significant lifestyle changes and embarked on an inspiring health journey, reducing his weight from 22 stone to just under 16 stone. Harry said “I just feel great about my health, thanks to Nick and everybody else – they’ve been like a rock to me, especially Nick because he has been motivating me.” 

Reflecting on their relationship, Harry said “He’s a brilliant person. We trust each other”  and Nick added “He’s like my big brother in a way – we have been through a lot together.”