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Meet Sonia

Sonia, in her mid-50s, lives in a village outside Canterbury. She shares her home with three other people, also supported by Affinity Trust.

Sonia was born with a genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body, and that has gradually led to her losing her sight. Despite this, she senses what’s going on around her through touch and smell.

Sonia enjoys cooking, and knows where the ingredients and utensils she needs are stored. It’s important that staff allow her to locate what she needs to cook in her own time.

With support, Sonia can also carry out other household tasks such as ironing, hanging out the laundry, and washing up and putting away in the kitchen.

The kitchen walls are adorned by pictures painted by Sonia using sponge, brush and finger techniques, with one-to-one support.

Independence

Sonia’s bedroom has been decorated to meet her needs, with light-coloured walls and dark furniture, so she can more easily sense where it is.  Her support team are hoping to turn another room into a sensory space that Sonia can enjoy.

Sonia’s medical condition means she travels to London once a year for a regular check-up. Staff have developed memory games for Sonia, in which she identifies household objects. These help slow down memory loss.

Before the pandemic, Sonia had started enjoying musicals, including The Lion King in London and Hairspray in Canterbury – and had learned to say ‘popcorn’. She also enjoyed swimming and massage therapy every week.

Sonia loves shopping, especially for clothes, and having her hair styled and nails painted. From 2019, as Affinity Trust has been introducing Person Centred Active Support, staff have continued to look for ways to promote Sonia’s independence.

Sonia has been supported by Affinity Trust since 2009. Support Manager Emma has seen her develop over the years, especially since she moved to supported living: “She has found her own personality and individuality which she had not shown in previous years”.

Emma adds: “This has brought quality into Sonia’s life and she is now a lady who knows what she wants and will communicate this, becoming a strong independent woman by right.”

Contact us

Contact us

Head Office

Head Office
1 St Andrew's Court, Wellington Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3WT View Map
T: 01844 267800 F: 01844 267829 E: info@affinitytrust.org
Media enquiries to:
1 St. Andrew's Court, Wellington Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3WT
T: 07553 264 975 E: PressOffice@affinitytrust.org

Central England

Central - Divisional Office
Rowan Room, Acacia Room, BT Room, Poplar Room and Office Ground floor, National Training Centre 3 Gilmour Close Leicester LE4 1EZ View Map
T: 0116 236 3793 F: 0345 643 7094 E: infocentral@affinitytrust.org
Sheffield
For enquiries about Sheffield-based services
T: 07387 058 872 (9am-3.45pm Monday-Thursday only) E: infosheffield@affinitytrust.org

East England

East - Divisional Office
U18, South Fens Business Centre, Fenton Way, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6TT View Map
T: 01354 696009 F: 08456 437521 E: infoeast@affinitytrust.org
Enquiries for Norfolk and Suffolk should be directed to the Divisional Office.
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North England

North - Divisional Office
Unit 12, Curtis House Business Centre, Leeds, LS9 9LF View Map
T: 0113 468 4460 E: infonorth@affinitytrust.org
Bradford District Office
Unit 9 Parkview Court, St Paul's Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD18 3DZ View Map
T: 01274 533553 E: infoshipley@affinitytrust.org
West Midlands Office
Flat 7, Parry’s Court, Woodside Place, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 4AA View Map
T: 01543 578764

Positive Behaviour Support for children, young people and their families

Positive Behaviour Support
1 St. Andrew's Court Wellington Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3WT View Map
T: 07341 478228 E: paultaylor@affinitytrust.org

Scotland

Scotland - Divisional Office
62 Viewfield Road, Ayr KA8 8HH View Map
T: 01292 436030 E: infoscotland@affinitytrust.org
Oban Office
First Floor, Glenshellach House, 7e Glengallan Road, Oban, PA34 4HG View Map
T: 01631 571311 F: 01631 566708 / 0872 111 4616 E: infoscotland@affinitytrust.org
Aberdeen Office
87a Urquhart Road, Aberdeen, AB24 5ND View Map
T: 01224 039264 E: infoscotland@affinitytrust.org
Isle of Bute Office
18 East Princes Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9DL View Map
T: 01700 500376 E: infoscotland@affinitytrust.org
Irvine office
Suites 2/1 and 2/2, Landek House, 44-46 Bank Street, Irvine KA12 0LP View Map
T: 01294 446600 E: infoscotland@affinitytrust.org

South & South West

South - Divisional Office
Suites 53-55, Aldershot Enterprise Centre, Mandora House, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 2PW View Map
T: 01252 311188 F: 01252 311170 E: infosouth@affinitytrust.org
Somerset Office
Mendip Court, Bath Road, Wells, Somerset BA5 3DG View Map
T: 01749 605594 E: infosouth@affinitytrust.org

South East, Bedford and Northamptonshire

South East - Divisional Office
Suite 2+3, Henwood Pavilion, Henwood, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8DH View Map
T: 01233 665324 E: infosoutheast@affinitytrust.org

Specialist Support

Specialist Support
Head Office, 1 St Andrew's Court, Wellington Street, Thame View Map
T: 01844 267800 F: 01844 267049 E: info@affinitytrust.org