Hello my name is Allan. I am now 25yrs old. I used to live at home with my mum, my dad and my sister.

I moved into Sunnyside house just over a year ago. When I came to Sunnyside I did not talk to anyone. I had chosen not to speak for 7 years and it became comfortable not to speak.

I used to write things down, nod or shake my head and use eye contact to communicate with the staff that work at Sunnyside.

I learned new skills such as being able to eat with a group of people and socialize.

After the first few months at Sunnyside I was able to mix with people every day and for the first time in my life I felt I had real friends. My favourite person at Sunnyside is Elisabeth.

The staff at Sunnyside helped me get a job at an animal sanctuary as I loved cats but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I now have a Voluntary role at Aveley Football club once a week where I am able to help out cleaning.

I am happy to be able to help at the club as everyone knows me there. I enjoy watching football and they gave me a season ticket to watch all the home matches.

I pay my bills with help from my key worker, I go to the Gym with my friend Gavin every week and I can go by bus and train to appointments.

We go shopping in the local area and also at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

I had my first holiday with my new friends at Sunnyside at Havens holiday Park at All Hallows in Kent. We went with four of the staff members and four of the Service Users. It was great.

The staff at Sunnyside helped me in 1:1 sessions to set targets of when I would like to speak again and I did on 19th November 2009. The staff helped me by encouraging me to practice on the Karaoke machine and the Singstar game. At first I made noises and did not join in with the singing. This helped my confidence in hearing my voice again. At first I was scared to speak to anyone else outside of Sunnyside but now I am now able to talk to everyone and my confidence has grown in knowing I am understood.

My hope for the future is to learn more living skills to help me live as independently as I can. Sunnyside house is a fun place to live, I like having my friends around me and I am looking forward to starting paid employment. I am very happy with my life.

By Allan