After seven years with Keys Group, Jessica* has “flown the nest” and begun an exciting new adventure in supported living. Her journey has been one of growth, resilience, and achievement, with Red Oaks and Walnut House helping lay the foundations for a happy and successful life ahead.
To mark this new chapter, Jessica celebrated with a special brunch before settling into her new home, a moment filled with excitement and a touch of bittersweet emotion. While staff felt the weight of saying goodbye to someone who has been part of their home for so long, there was also immense pride in the confident, independent young person Jessica has become.
Jessica joined Red Oaks in 2018 following a breakdown in her long term foster placement. Initially, adjusting to life in a group setting with many daily changes was challenging. However, through patience, understanding, and consistent support from staff, Jessica and the team learned to communicate and understand each other. Over time, she grew to love Red Oaks and even asked her local authority to remain there until she turned 18.
Throughout her time at Keys Group, Jessica experienced countless milestones and cherished memories. Key milestones included celebrating her 13th, 16th, and 18th birthdays, progressing to independent travel, more frequent family contact, and mastering essential life skills. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she adapted, enjoyed meals in her bedroom, and even followed Joe Wicks’ fitness sessions. Alongside her peer Danielle*, who also lived with her for seven years, Jessica met with Keys Group Leaders to discuss their future. They dreamed of a home that would help them learn independence, and after a visit to London to discuss this further with the board of directors, Keys Group agreed to purchase a new home for them.
In February 2024, Jessica, Danielle, and long standing staff Coral and Dannii moved into Walnut House, their new home in Littlehampton. The transition marked an exciting step forward, allowing Jessica to explore independence in a safe, supportive environment.
Living with autism and having had limited exposure to the wider world, Jessica was initially nervous about venturing out alone. However, Keys Group provided countless opportunities to build confidence and life skills, from camping trips, bike rides, swimming lessons, horse riding, to paddle boarding. Some of her proudest achievements include learning to drive, traveling independently to college, and learning how to cook.
Family time has always been a priority for Jessica, while there were challenges, the homes Jessica lived in made every effort to support contact. Over time, she progressed from supervised to unsupervised visits, now confidently planning her own family time.
Jessica’s journey has been shaped by the support and stability provided by Keys Group. Long standing staff members, stable routines, and opportunities for independence helped her develop confidence and resilience. Through education, extracurricular activities like the Children in Care Council, and participation in Christmas events and celebrations, Jessica experienced a rich, fulfilling childhood and adolescence.
Today, Jessica is more confident, independent, and able to communicate effectively with her family and support team. She has a strong sense of safety, stability, and belonging, and has successfully transitioned into her new supported living home, ready to build new relationships and continue her journey of growth.
