Supported living is a way of receiving care and support that lets you keep your own home, your own front door, and your own independence — rather than moving into a residential or nursing care setting. You (or your family, if they help manage things) hold your own tenancy agreement, just like any other renter. Waincare’s role is to provide the practical, personal and emotional support that sits alongside that, tailored to exactly how much or how little help you need.

This is one of the biggest differences between supported living and a care home. In a care home, accommodation and care are bundled together and provided by the same organisation, and daily routines are often more structured around the home rather than the individual. With supported living, your home and your care are separate — you choose (with support, if needed) how your day looks, who visits, and how your space is set up, while a dedicated support worker helps you manage the parts of daily life you find difficult.

Support can range from a few hours of visiting support each week — helping with shopping, appointments or paperwork — right through to round-the-clock, on-site support for people with more complex needs. The level of support is never fixed forever, either. As your confidence and independence grow, your support plan can be reviewed and adjusted, and reduced over time if that’s the right path for you. Equally, if your needs change and you require more support, your plan can flex to reflect that too.