Kevin and Nicola’s story
“Having joint support makes me much happier.”
Nicola and Kevin have been together for over 24 years. Since moving in together in 2015, they’ve shared a home, but for a long time, they didn’t share the same support. With separate teams and schedules, their day-to-day routines often felt disconnected for them.
“Being supported together has made it easier to do the things that we enjoy, together,” says Kevin. “Sometimes we go out for a meal, or we go shopping, and we go out to things like the panto every year. We couldn’t plan these things as easily before.” Nicola agrees, “Having joint support makes me much happier.”
“We used to take Nikki shopping, and Kevin would stay home,” Carrie, one of the Personal Assistants supporting the couple shares. “Now, Kevin comes with us, does the shopping and we go places together. The best thing that’s come out joining the support is now Kevin and Nicola can live their day-to-day life alongside each other. It feels more natural.”
The best thing that’s come out joining the support is now Kevin and Nicola can live their day-to-day life alongside each other. It feels more natural.
“When Carrie comes in and I’m listening to music, we always have a dance. I also always love to make Carrie laugh, and I’m always going to.”
“Before joint support, Kevin never really had consistency in his routine,” Carrie continues. “His previous team would just dip in and out, and he didn’t know when they were coming.” With Nicola’s team on a different schedule, the couple shared that they felt more like “flatmates than partners”. This changed when Kevin’s Personal Assistant from another organisation left, and the couple made the decision to trial being supported by one team at Thistle.
Alongside the time they spend together, they both continue enjoying their own personal interests. “Every time I come in in the morning, Kevin’s playing his music all the way up. It really makes [him] happy,” Carrie says.
Kevin nods. “Yeah, it takes me back to my youth. When Carrie comes in and I’m listening to music, we always have a dance. I also always love to make Carrie laugh, and I’m always going to.”
“He’s being supported in a way that works for him now, giving him choice and control over what he does day-to-day.”
The team have noticed that joining Kevin’s support with Nicola’s has had a real impact on his wellbeing. “He’s been opening up to us more since we began the dual support,” Carrie says. “He’s being supported in a way that works for him now, giving him choice and control over what he does day-to-day.”
The couple’s support now reflects what matters to them: spending time together while having the space to do things independently. Nicola shares “I like to go to pottery every week and also plan outings with Kevin. I like to do both.” Nicola smiles, adding “I’m so happy.”
With the right support in place, Nicola and Kevin have seen positive changes in their daily life, showing how well-coordinated, person-centred support can make all the difference in supporting people to live good lives.
“I like to go to pottery every week and also plan outings with Kevin. I like to do both.”