Terry’s Leaving Party

Terry has been supported by Autism at Kingwood for 20 years and next week he is moving on to pastures new. Support Manager Jess, Senior Support Worker Ian, and the team at Saxons Way decided to mark his ‘retirement’ by inviting his housemates, friends and staff over for a party.

One member of staff, Karen Howells started working with Terry and Stuart – who moved in at the same time – in 2008.  Karen says that it was a brilliant service to work in.

Karen recalls that Terry had a full life going to day services three days a week, as well as a weekly session at Thrive (a horticultural charity in Reading). He also used to go to Path Hill, when Kingwood had a veg patch there and enjoyed spending time in his garden.

Terry often volunteered at a nearby wood recycling centre and also at his local Superdrug.

Karen says: ‘Terry was very fit and active. We walked everywhere. He played tennis and football – I used to take him to a Blackbird Leys Park for football coaching with the Oxford United coach.

He loved music – Elvis, The Beatles and the Spice Girls were his favourites. And he absolutely loved ‘Only Fools and Horses’. He remembers all the old sit-coms.

He also liked his tea and biscuits and the community centre and at his church – though I wonder if he went to church just for the tea and biscuits!’

Karen loved spending time with Terry, she says he enjoyed interacting with people. He liked to learn as well, gaining quite a few ASDAN qualifications.

Karen is sad to see Terry leave Kingwood, but believes this next chapter is the right one for him.