Demi Greaves

The future is looking bright for Brighton local Demi Greaves since she started receiving support through Sanctuary Supported Living.

Demi, who lives with learning disabilities, spent much of her early life in foster placements following a family breakdown. The 28-year-old said: “I moved around quite a bit and didn’t really feel like I had a place I could call home.”

In 2012, Demi moved to Sanctuary Supported Living’s Pembroke Crescent, which supports adults with a range of learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health needs.

Here, she developed vital life skills before moving into her own flat in Charles Busby House – a service aimed at those with the ability to live more independently – in 2016.

Demi said: “I now receive some housing management support, as well as a more general support package from the staff at Pembroke Crescent.

“When I moved to Charles Busby House I wanted to have a dog of my own to look after and care for, which was really important to me as I lost my son. Marley, my dog, is now my everything. I volunteer at the local Dogs’ Trust shop and I am also training Marley to be a therapy dog.

“I feel I have a good life and I have lots to look forward to; I’ve really moved away from my negative childhood experiences. I’m chilled and happy.”

To find out more about how we support people with learning disabilities, see our disability page or read our resident stories.

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