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 Dingle 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 have met new friends, and most importantly I am supported to have a good social life. 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 108 hours of support from Options a week including a sleep-in support worker each night, now I am supported for 67 hours per week and no longer have sleep-in support. During the day I attend voluntary employment at a local Nursing Home and once a week I have a paid job. I joined a drama group nine months ago which has helped me to build my confidence.
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.
