Harry is a talented, kind-hearted young man who lives at our Chestnut home. Before coming into our care, home hadn’t always felt like a safe place for him. He had grown up around conflict, domestic violence and adults who weren’t safe to be near, and he hadn’t always received the medication he needed.

These experiences had understandably taken their toll. When we first met Harry, he had little belief in himself and found it hard to trust adults or share how he felt.

Finding his voice

In those early days, Harry was quiet and reserved. He is autistic, and social cues and sarcasm could sometimes feel confusing. Even so, his personality shone through – his bedroom was always tidy, and he had a real fascination with trains and washing machines.

We took things slowly, letting trust build in Harry’s own time. Through PACE informed practice, built around Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, our team helped him feel safe, understood and valued. Familiar routines eased his worries, and chatting about his favourite interests became a lovely way to connect. Little by little, Harry began to open up.

Making sense of family

One of the hardest parts of Harry’s journey has been his relationship with his mum. When he came into care, his brother stayed at home, leaving Harry wondering where he fitted within his family.

Through regular key work sessions, we gave Harry a gentle, safe space to talk through these feelings, always without placing blame. With patience and positive family time, his relationship with his mum has grown stronger. Some of those feelings remain, but Harry now understands his story much better.

Growing in independence

Harry’s school attendance has always been good, and over the last two years his independence has blossomed. He travels to and from school on his own, understands his health needs and goes to appointments by himself. At home, he’s a real all-rounder – shopping, doing his laundry, cooking a variety of meals and happily lending a hand.

He gets on well with the young people he lives with and has built strong, trusting bonds with our team. His love of trains has stayed with him, and he has discovered a real talent for hair braiding, practising new styles whenever he can.

Looking to the future

Harry will soon turn 18 and is getting ready to move on. He has explored becoming an electrician, and more recently his flair for braiding has sparked an interest in turning it into a career.

We’re working closely with his social worker to find the right next home for Harry, and supporting him to manage a budget, stay safe and prepare for life with fewer adults around. Moving on naturally brings mixed feelings, but we’ll be beside him every step of the way.

Harry’s story shows what’s possible when a young person is given the time, patience and consistency to feel safe – and the confidence to find his own voice.

“I can speak on behalf of the whole team, including those who have supported Harry throughout his journey with us, when I say that he is a truly talented and remarkable young man. It has been a privilege to watch him grow in confidence, independence, and maturity during his time in our care. Harry has worked hard to overcome many challenges and has achieved so much, making us proud daily. As he prepares to move on to the next stage of his life, we are confident that he has the skills, resilience, and determination to succeed. While we are excited for his future, he will be greatly missed by both staff and his peers, and we wish him every success and happiness in the years ahead.”

A quote from a member of Harry’s care team

“I have mixed feelings about my journey ahead. I'm excited but worried about what is expected of me. I want to keep in touch with some of the staff team that have looked after me. I am very proud of myself.”

Quote from Harry