Sharon

Sharon is an adult with mild learning disabilities and complex health needs, who moved to Mildmay Avenue in 2011 to live more independently.

Although sociable, she often stayed indoors and rarely made new connections. Sharon also struggled with recurring health concerns and emotional challenges, including the loss of contact with her children, which sometimes led to her seeking emergency help for pain or loneliness.

Over the past year, Centre 404 staff encouraged Sharon to visit the Dalston Curve Garden during a shopping trip. With no pressure, she agreed—and ended up having a great time. Sharon quickly made friends there, began visiting on her own, and even took a group trip to Southend-On-Sea with a new friend she met at the garden.

She continues to receive emotional support, assistance with medication, and attends events like arts and crafts or festive celebrations at the project. Staff have also helped her shop online, and she now regularly uses her laptop on her own.

Sharon now has a more active lifestyle and spends time with her friend Raymond, his family, and her own relatives. Though she rarely visits the garden anymore, her confidence and independence have grown significantly. She’s socialising at least twice a week and recently shared that she’s even lost weight.