Here you can read all about real people who are leading Good Lives. Find their stories below.
Charlene
Interviewed by Jan Walmsley
“I live with 5 other people in my house in Oxfordshire, and with staff. I like to watch TV.
I am a Trustee at My Life My Choice. There were 21 people who wanted to be a Trustee, and only 12 places. My Life My Choice members voted for me. I feel sorry for those that did not get elected but I am proud to be a Trustee!
I am also a Travel Buddy for My Life My Choice. I help people who want to learn how to travel safely on the buses in Oxfordshire or wherever they want to go. And I get paid for that. That is important to me.
I helped to make a Travel Buddy film, and I went to London to a big cinema to show it. And we won! It was my first visit to London. I had my picture taken, and we had champagne, it was really good. London was very busy. Then I came back and I made a speech about it at My Life My Choice, there were lots of people there.
My life changed completely by going to My Life My Choice and learning about my rights.”
Anup
Interviewed by Jan Walmsley
“What makes my life good is my own flat in Wallingford. I have had it since I moved out of supported living in Didcot in 2017. It is more independent. Independence is the best thing about having my own flat. I can choose who visits me – I like that!
When I moved I could choose my own support hours. I have support with cooking and my money, now I can manage my money when before I couldn’t.
I am a Trustee at My Life My Choice, it’s a self-advocacy group that is very important to me. It teaches me about choices and rights, and to feel more confident. I’ve been there for many years. I would really like to be on the Jobs and Money team at My Life My Choice. You get elected to that from the Trustees.
I would love to be able to have a job that pays me so I can come off my benefits, but it is a big move and I may not get the right support. I had an interview with the Care Quality Commission and I am waiting to hear if I got the job. There is a lot to think about when you have a learning disability and want to live a Good Life.”