Mark’s story: Gaining confidence and independence in the community

Mark’s story

Mark enjoys exploring new places and staying connected to his interests. There were experiences he had always dreamed of, including a long-held wish to visit the SS Great Britain. 

Mark lives in his flat, and what mattered most to him was gaining the confidence to get out into the community, learning practical life skills, including shopping and cooking, and becoming more independent in everyday life. 

He had felt unable to access the opportunities and experiences that interested him. Mark’s goals were clear, and they went far beyond help with daily tasks.

Understanding their needs

Before receiving support from Bluebird Care, Mark was struggling with day-to-day activities such as shopping, preparing meals and looking after himself. He had very little confidence, rarely left his flat and did not feel comfortable using public transport. He wanted to develop life skills, such as cooking, but felt overwhelmed by where to begin, unsure how to shop for ingredients, plan meals or take the first step. Mark began receiving
home care from Bluebird Care in June 2021. Rather than focusing solely on daily support, the team explored his personal aspirations and interests.

Life with Bluebird Care

Every step was planned alongside Mark, giving him control and choice over decisions, from travel arrangements to recipe selection and shopping locations. The care team played a key role in encouraging and empowering Mark, providing practical support, careful planning, reassurance and ongoing encouragement.

Support included practical help to develop his shopping and cooking skills: planning shopping trips, creating shopping lists, choosing accessible routes and shops, and preparing meals independently. When supporting Mark to learn to cook, carers broke the process down into manageable steps. What began as making a quiche for the King’s Coronation developed into a new passion, with Mark gaining enough confidence to bake a Christmas cake entirely independently.

One particularly memorable moment was helping Mark fulfil his long-held dream of visiting the SS Great Britain. His carer contacted the attraction directly to confirm accessibility arrangements, and together they agreed a taxi would be the most suitable option to reduce travel fatigue and make the day more enjoyable. Mark was excited throughout the planning process and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the attraction before relaxing in the sunshine over lunch. He was so grateful for the support that he told his carers he would like to visit again.

Doing the things that matter to him

Mark is significantly more confident and independent, at home and in the community. He enjoys shopping, visiting new places and preparing his own meals, and he eats more healthily as a result of learning to cook. His story is a success because the team listened to what mattered most to him. By working in partnership with Mark and encouraging him to take the lead wherever possible, the team enabled him to achieve goals that once felt out of reach. It shows what personalised care looks like: supporting people to pursue their ambitions, develop new skills and enjoy meaningful experiences.

I now feel like I am living instead of existing.

- Mark, customer