18th March 2026
When Terry was first described as “complex”, it felt less like a description of his needs and more like a label that obscured who he really was. A gentleman with a profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD) and significant behaviour support needs, Terry was living in a situation that simply didn’t work for him. He was unhappy, his health was poor, and the very real risk of home breakdown loomed over his future.
Everything changed when a personalised support team was carefully built around him. Recruited using a truly person-centred approach, Terry’s team were chosen not just for their skills, but for their ability to see him – his personality, his strengths, and his potential.
Working hand in hand with Terry’s family and health professionals, the team took time to understand what mattered to him, what brought him joy, and what a good life might look like from his perspective. Together, they created a creative, tailored plan designed to open up his world rather than restrict it.
Over the past year, the impact has been remarkable.
Terry now heads out locally almost every day – visiting shops, going to the leisure centre, and becoming a familiar, valued presence in his local area. People greet him by name, he experiences a genuine sense of belonging, and for the first time, he is beginning to build friendships.
With greater confidence has come greater independence and purpose. His health and wellbeing have improved dramatically too. At a recent health review, his GP commented that “he is like a different person”, while his family shared that this is the happiest they have ever seen him.
Perhaps most strikingly, Terry has been able to significantly reduce his anti-psychotic medication because his behaviours of distress have almost disappeared – not through restriction, but through happiness, understanding, and the right support.
Terry’s story doesn’t stop here. His team continue to plan ambitiously for his future, with a holiday already booked and many more experiences on the horizon. Their passion is simple and powerful: to help Terry live the life he wants, on his terms.
This is why Terry’s Team were finalists in the National Learning Disability and Autism Awards 2025 for Supporting People with a Profound and Multiple Learning Disability – a well-deserved recognition of what compassionate, skilled, and truly person-centred support can achieve.
*not his real photo