As part of this year’s Learning Disability Week and its theme ‘Do You See Me?’, we’re sharing stories from across our disability services that celebrate the people we are proud to support.
Dan lives at our Alan Shearer Specialist Residential Home and is a passionate Newcastle United supporter. Anyone who knows him will tell you how much he loves the game.
As a season ticket holder, Dan never misses a home match. With support from our staff team, he makes the journey to St James’ Park to take his place among the crowd, proudly joining thousands of fans cheering on their team.
And for Dan, matchday doesn’t end at the final whistle, there’s always time to stop for a kebab on the way home. It’s a simple tradition, but one that makes the whole experience even more special.
Football is more than a pastime for Dan. It brings him joy, connection and a strong sense of belonging. It’s part of who he is.
By understanding what matters to Dan and having the right support in place, he’s able to enjoy the things that are important to him and live life in a way that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
In the spirit of ‘Do You See Me?’, this is about more than one moment, it’s about recognising Dan as an individual every day and supporting him to be himself.