My name is Edel and I am one of the youngest people Options has supported through transition. My family moved to Ireland when I was a teenager but I remained in Liverpool. As a result of having no family here, I moved into a children’s home where I didn’t see my family for a long time. My 18th birthday was spent inside the children’s home. Shortly after this Options began supporting me. I was introduced to my Team Leader Maria and three girls who were my support workers. At the age of 19 with support from Options I moved into my own home in the Toxteth area of Liverpool where I grew up with my family. I began to build a strong relationship with my Team Leader and staff that enabled me to live life as a young woman. With the support of my team I decorated my house, met new friends, started college and most importantly I am supported to have a good social life. I have been in my house for four years now. In recent years I regained regular contact with my family, who I visit up to three times a year by flying out to Ireland and staying with them. I used to receive 90 hours of support from Options a week including a sleep-in support worker each night. During the day I go to college or voluntary employment and once a week I have a paid job.
This year I spent my holidays in Benidorm and France, where I particularly enjoyed going out drinking and clubbing. In the future I hope to move closer to my family in Ireland. Currently with the support of my team I have reduced my support to 80 hours a week and I only have sleep-in staff of a weekend. In June I flew to Ireland for the first time on my own to visit my family.
