Susan Bunje by Sian Davey
‘Always look on the bright side of life’ is how Susie lives her life to the full; whether it’s enjoying sport, music, dancing and generally socialising, or in her role as sister, sister-in-law and aunt, which are very important to her. Susie is also immensely proud of her work; thirty years working in a children’s nursery and now as a volunteer with the YMCA.
Rachel Somers by Richard Bailey
Rachel introduces herself as ‘Blondie’ a name she has given to herself since going from a natural redhead to a blonde. She loves music and dancing and has a natural flair for art and design. She thrives on big hugs and cuddles and her family mean the world to her.
Paul Hughes by Richard Bailey
Paul lives with his sister Emma and her children. He goes to a day service five days a week where he helps out in technology workshops and volunteers at a food bank. Since the pandemic he has become a TikTok sensation. Videos of Paul and his niece Maya have been viewed millions of times online. He says ‘I love being famous!’
James Berriman by Richard Bailey
James lives with his wife, Angela. He is a keen Manchester United football fan and enjoys meals out with his family and friends.
Lee Blackburn by Richard Bailey
Lee is the resident movie critic amongst his friends and his favourite activity is a trip to the cinema. He’s a happy go lucky gentleman with a smile from ear to ear.
Tommy & Maryanne Pilling by Owen Harvey
Tommy and Maryanne were married in 1995. They met at a local training centre and their affection for each other soon grew. Tommy then produced a plastic ring which he had bought from a vending machine, and the couple were engaged. From that point on they were inseparable. Sadly, Tommy died in the summer of 2020.
Tonda Photographed By Fiona Yaron Field
Tonda was born in Kuwait and lived there, California and Hong Kong when she was growing up. She now lives near the seaside in the UK with her husband Martin. They both love attending their drama group and performing in big shows at the Palace Theatre in Southend.
Nicky Harris by Richard Bailey
Nicky is the resident artist in his community and has a love for superheroes. He is also football mad, supporting the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
Barry Humphreys by Richard Bailey
Barry lives in a flat with two friends and works in the local coffee shop one day a week. He enjoys wrestling and spending time on his iPad.
Julie Anne Lytle by Richard Bailey
Julie Ann lives in Northern Ireland in supported housing. She absolutely adores fashion, colour and make up. Julie Ann’s favourite thing is dancing and, in particular, jiving.
Nicholas Crossley by Richard Bailey
Nicholas lives with his family. They have a herb garden at home and he attends Sheffield Organic Growers two days a week. Nicholas enjoys pricking out seedlings and cutting flowers. He has lots of friends there who he enjoys seeing each week.
Gary Wooler by Fiona Bailey
Gary enjoys going out for lunch and to the cinema with friends. He loves music and television and his favourite film is Dirty Dancing.
David Wilding by Richard Bailey
David is a quiet, cheeky man with a love of Doctor Who and most soap operas. He is often first on the dance floor and makes everyone smile.
Berge Kanikanian by Adam Hinton
Berge feels passionately about making sure his voice, and the voices of his peers, are heard. As a Learning Disability Awareness trainer, he has delivered more than 100 training sessions to nurses, doctors and others in the medical profession. He was also invited to the House of Commons to give feedback about healthcare…a moment he says, he is very proud of.
Nigel Land by Richard Bailey
Nigel enjoys football and absolutely loves drinking tea. His favourite television programme is Tipping Point and he is very close to his brother, Bill.
Anne-Mary Haward Smith by Richard Bailey
Anne-Mary grew up in Devon where she lived with her mum in a Shared Lives family. She has recently moved to Scotland to be near her extended family. Anne-Mary loves dancing, singing, crafts and socialising.
Mark Ahrens by Richard Bailey
Mark has a zest for life that makes him the life and soul of the party. His sense of style is original – he’s a real trend setter!
Martin Baker by Richard Bailey
Described as ‘The Boss!’ Martin is always looking to help others and making sure everyone is ok. He is said to give the best hugs and makes a nice cuppa.
Peter Wallace by Richard Bailey
Peter lived at home with his parents until he was 51. Since then, he has lived with support from Shared Lives South West. Peter loves filing and keeping his paperwork, photos and drawers in order. He also enjoys photography, swimming and drama. Peter loves to make people laugh.
George McCullagh by Richard Bailey
George grew up on a large farm in Northern Ireland. He has three sisters whom he is very close to. He enjoys listening to music, watching western movies, singing and painting. He absolutely loves dogs and can’t resist giving them a cuddle when he sees them.
George Wildgust by Richard Bailey
George was given a life expectancy of just 10 years when he was born, but he has certainly proved doctors wrong. He worked as a gardener before retiring and has always been very independent. He still loves to dance and sing karaoke, as well as draw and colour.
Susan Hanley by Niall Mc Diarmid
Susan is Senior Chair of Leep1, a self-advocacy organisation for people with learning disabilities in Leeds. She lives with her sister and family, and enjoys dogs, needlework, musicals and Midsomer Murders. She has dreams of becoming an MP and loves standing up for the rights of people with learning disabilities.
Julie Thompson by Richard Bailey
Julie is a huge Star Trek fan and likes to watch re-runs of old series. She is a busy woman. She works four days a week at a wholefood shop, volunteers at a mother and baby group and is also a parkrun marshal.
Miriam Lyne & Billy George by Clare Hewitt
Miriam is married to Steve and has a rescue dog called Billy George. She is a former netball player/coach, a huge Leicester City football fan, and a medal-winning Olympian, having competed alongside her husband as the only married couple in the Special Olympics in 2005.
Sanjiv Malviya by Richard Bailey
Sanjiv is one of three siblings and he is incredibly close to hi immediate and extended family. He takes great pride in his appearance and will insist on attending a barber for his monthly haircut. Sanjiv loves dancing and partying and is always the first and last on the dancefloor.
Tina Pearcy by Susan Andrews
Cortina – or Tina as her friends and family call her – enjoys dancing, yoga, bowling and painting old furniture. Her parents were hotel managers so growing up, she learnt waitressing and housekeeping skills which she has carried through to her adult life. These days, she enjoys an active social life, including spending time with her boyfriend Clive.
Emma Cooke By Andrew Hamilton
Emma likes taking long walks, drinking coffee and dancing. She loves spending time with her friends and eating good food. The is also the world’s biggest fan of Tom and Jerry.
Anya Souza by Laura Pannack
Anya lives in London with Paul, her partner of 35 years. Anya has been a Trustee of the Down’s Syndrome Association for more than 25 years. She feels passionately about fighting for the rights of people who have Down’s syndrome and keeping them up to date with issues that impact their lives.
John Palmer by Richard Bailey
John played football in the 1989 Special Olympics in Leicester and is a keen Everton FC fan. He still lives independently, and held down a job at a local factory for more than 20 years. John loves a dance floor and enjoys showing off his ballroom and Latin moves.
Michelle Porter by Richard Bailey
Michelle is a beautiful person inside and out. She is gentle and shy. She loves a cuddle and completing her sewing. She has a close relationship with her mum, dad and two sisters.
Sarah Morrish by Richard Bailey
Sarah is described as the most naturally warm person you could meet. She loves life and all activities associated, including the dentist! Sarah loves nothing more than an afternoon sat in the pub with a couple of beers.
Keith Fish by Richard Bailey
Keith is a very sociable man who enjoys being out every day. He loves attending the local team football and is always giving staff and his friends a Cliff Richard performance.
Jonathan Evason By Richard Bailey
Jonathan lives in Yorkshire and works as a foreman at Jennyruth Workshops, a charity and social enterprise set up by his parents. His proudest moment is being a torchbearer for the 2012 Paralympics. He was passed the torch by John Snow and then carried it from St Paul’s Cathedral to Tower Bridge.
Bridget Lynch by Richard Bailey
Bridget grew up as one of 10. She has the best sense of humour and is always full of mischief. Bridget loves art, colour and flowers. She paints and creates each day and she loves country music and dancing. Bridget is very kind, thoughtful and love to share everything with others.
Rachel Silver by Richard Bailey
Rachel was born to be on the stage. Every day is a performance and her high kicks are to die for. Rachel is a natural carer who love to help staff. Her favourite activity would be to go to a West End show.
Andrew Morris by Enda Bowe
Andrew loves music, exercising and watching television. He’s great at telling stories and enjoys going to art and drama classes. Andrew also has a passion for cooking.
Chris Davies by Richard Bailey
Christopher grew up with his mum and dad and three sisters in South Wales. His hobbies include horse riding, snooker and disco dancing – especially to Shakin’ Stevens. He enjoys working at a pottery/garden centre in Aberdare.
Josie Hunton by Richard Bailey
Josie lives in residential care and visits home once a month for weekends and loves Classic FM. She can tell you which instruments are playing. She loves going to concerts and shows. Her reading and writing is good but not used much. She is a good swimmer and has medals and certificates.
Mary Hughes by Richard Bailey
Mary lives a very independent and busy life. She makes many of her own decisions about work and leisure pursuits and her passion over many years has been dancing, for which she has many trophies. She has lots of friends and enjoys going on trips to the theatre.
Ian Forrest by Richard Bailey
Ian is the resident DJ in his community. He loves to keep up to date with the most recent music and helps DJ at all the parties. Ian is mad for Las Vegas and went for three weeks a couple of years ago. He has a paid job working at MacIntyre in their co-production and advocacy team.
Alan Hicks by Niall McDiarmid
Alan lives with his mum and works in the cafe at Leep1. He dreams of being an actor. Alan is proud to have Down’s syndrome and views his work as a Steward for the People’s Parliament as vital for getting the voices of people with learning disabilities heard.
Ben Fogg by Richard Bailey
Ben has been supported by MacIntryre most of his life and now lives in Milton Keynes. Ben recently turned 50 and had a fabulous pride/rainbow themed party with drag queen performers.