Sarah Constable’s confidence was boosted as never before, when she was asked to do a ten-minute presentation at Turnstone’s Carers’ Conference held in May. With the guidance of Jubilee Court staff, Sarah highlighted the areas she felt important to her around the ways in which she is supported to live as independently as possible.

Sarah explained to relatives and advocates of service users how she had developed into a more independent, confident woman. Sarah wanted the audience to understand, without going into any detail, that she had moved into the Bracknell area to get away from an unhappy situation, and through the new relationships built up at Jubilee Court, had managed to turn her life around.

Commenting on her experience at the conference, Sarah said: “Turnstone has given me the confidence to tell my story. When I started I was still a bit scared, but the more I did it, the better I felt. I enjoyed it”.

Sarah attends a training course on independent living skills which are transferred into the home. Jubilee Court staff provide guidance with budgeting, shopping, cooking, managing correspondence and attending appointments, as well as giving strong emotional support. Sarah feels that her biggest challenge continues to be her anxiety, and from September extra funding has been secured to support her to manage social activities.