Darrel and Linda

In 2018, Darrel and Linda, who live together in supported housing tied the knot at Burton Registration Office.

Darrel and Linda – who sadly lost their spouses before meeting each other - moved into Sanctuary Supported Living’s Epworth House, which provides support for adults with a range of learning disabilities and mental health needs in 2013, and the pair hit it off from the very beginning.

Daryl said: “We came to Epworth House around the same time. Our rooms were opposite each other.

“Both of our lives are completely different now. First, we became friends, we shared an interest of watching TV and soaps. When we became a couple, we wanted to get married like they do on the soaps.

“The staff at Epworth House supported Linda through the legal process of making sure she had capacity to understand marriage, and we were both thrilled when the Registry Office gave us their blessing to go ahead.

“Our wonderful wedding took place in April 2018, and we have been so happy ever since. Straight after the wedding, we moved in together and can now spend all day together.

“We wouldn’t have met each other without supported housing, and even if we had we might not have been able to get married.

Sanctuary Supported Living donated some money towards our wedding, which meant we could have the day we’d dreamt of. Staff at Epworth House really helped us to organise everything, and everyone had a fabulous time.”

Linda added: “The support staff gave to me was amazing and we had the day we’d dreamt of – everyone had a fabulous time. After the wedding, we had the perfect honeymoon at The Raddle Inn. It was the first time I have been in a log cabin.”

Almost four and a half years later, Darrel and Linda are fast approaching their wooden wedding anniversary and are still happily married.