A Sister’s Perspective: Angela’s Experience of Seeing Her Brother, Edmund, Thrive
When Edmund came to live with his sister, Angela, following the loss of their father, life changed for them both. Alongside the grief of losing their dad came a new responsibility – making sure Edmund continued to enjoy a fulfilling life, filled with purpose, friendship and opportunities to thrive.
Before CoOptions
Looking back, Angela says her biggest concern wasn’t simply finding support. It was making sure Edmund didn’t lose his sense of purpose.
“Our dad had just passed away, and Ed came to live with me and my husband. Our biggest concern was that Ed would become isolated, spend his days sitting on the couch and lose the quality of life he deserved. We knew this would, in turn, affect his mental health.”
Finding the Right Support
Since Edmund joined CoOptions, Angela says the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I have found CoOptions to be a professional organisation with qualified people. They go out of their way to help you. Whenever I’ve needed to speak with different departments regarding queries, I’ve always been met with kindness and helpfulness. The staff go beyond their responsibilities, and I highly recommend CoOptions.”
Knowing that Edmund is supported by a team who genuinely care has given Angela confidence that he’s in the right place.
A Life Filled with Purpose
Today, Edmund enjoys a varied week filled with meaningful activities, friendships and new experiences. He spends two days each week at Fferm Cornel Derwen, where he enjoys growing vegetables from seed and being part of the team.
On Fridays, he loves spending time at Harbour Hub Café, where it’s not just the work he enjoys – it’s the laughter, friendly banter and getting to know the regular customers.
“He doesn’t stop talking about the day’s events when he gets in the car at the end of the day.”
Twice a week, Edmund also enjoys one-to-one support, exploring new places, enjoying a cup of tea and, of course, a bacon butty.
Growing In Confidence
Angela has seen Edmund become happier, more confident and willing to try things he might never have considered before. Although he’s always been sociable, he could also be quite shy. Through the encouragement of the CoOptions team, he’s grown in confidence and embraced new experiences.
One of Angela’s favourite memories is Edmund’s first visit to The Bike Hub. “Laura took Ed to The Bike Hub and they hired bikes. Ed went on an adult trike, he absolutely loved it and was so proud of himself when he came home. They’ve done that several times since.”
Looking back, Angela says the biggest difference isn’t just the activities Edmund enjoys – it’s the life he has built through the support of the CoOptions team. She has watched him grow in confidence, make lasting friendships and embrace opportunities he may never have experienced otherwise.
“Ed enjoys the friendliness and the interaction of all the staff. He loves the fact that he knows everyone, from the office team to the staff across all the different locations.” Angela says the support has never wavered. “The support for Ed has been 100%. We have never been let down in the years since he joined.”
Today, she says she would recommend CoOptions without hesitation. “Ed’s quality of life has improved significantly since joining CoOptions. I really cannot praise the team enough for the time they support Ed and support me. A big thank you to all of you because you all make a difference to Ed’s life.”
Special thanks to Angela for taking the time to share her experience.