“They call me trouble because I am quietly spoken.”

It took a long time to find somewhere.  I was looking.  I was going to clubs and didn’t feel comfortable but Mencap? The people are nice.  Some nights it’s quiet and I like it when it’s quiet. The clubs get me out.  I call (the office) too and they talk to me.

I went on holiday went to Bournemouth last week with Mencap.  I’ve never been there before.  It’s nice and quiet. I liked the birds of prey.  We saw owls and eagles. They are well looked after in the centre.  They have workers who help to feed them. I liked the vintage museum too (National Motor Museum). You could travel back in time in the old cars.  It was a job to get out of one of them! 

I will carry on going.  They put up with me all this time.  I know I’m trouble.  You’re all lovely people.  If I could go with Mencap on a plane I’d be happy.  Florida. I won’t do it on my own.

She a lovely person is Laura (Keynsham Mencap’s Operations Manager).  I told her it will come back her way one day.  The kindness I mean.  She is strong.  She does all the hard work, planning and sorting it out.  It isn’t the money, it’s the thought that counts.  I’m not struggling, so don’t worry about the flowers (Alex had brought two huge bouquets into the office to thank staff for the holiday).  I wouldn’t do it otherwise.  I don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t go out a lot, but Mencap I do.  I’m going on Monday to the disco Uproar.  Dancing.

I didn’t do a lot before I started coming to Keynsham Mencap.  I was struggling to find a club, now I have found it I am not letting it go.  I’ve been coming a couple of years now – about 3 years.  I go to Club25 on Thursdays.  I feel safe with them.  They’re nice people.  I used to go to the Music Man but I couldn’t cope with it because it’s loud.

I used to go to Fitness too. I will join again as my shoulder is better now.  It got sore and a couple of years it was sore, but it got better.  I’ve got to get fitter.  I used to go, but I’m not ready for it yet.

It is a long way to come from Redfield but I drive a little car.  It’s a Ka. I keep it serviced regularly once a year in the garage.  They catch it before problems get big.

I live by myself.  It’s in trust with the family.  If I die it goes to my next of kin.  I have got a bit of decorating to do this year: a bit of crack work. It’s annoying me and I have got to do it.  My stepdad taught me a bit of the building trade, so I do some. If there is anything major, I can get it done by the Trust. 

I have been well for 2 years.  I have good days and bad days.  The worst is Learning Disabilities.  Mild.  It frustrates me. 

All the carers are lovely.  The holiday was fabulous.  Molly, Leah, Kath and Charlotte volunteered. They call me trouble because I am quietly spoken.