Matilda’s story

A music fan building a life that works for her

When Matilda talks about the future, she talks about music.

Rock, metal and alternative bands are a huge part of her life. She travels across the country to see artists she enjoys, plans trips around gigs and keeps an eye on who is touring next. At home, she is just as happy watching anime or playing games on her phone and iPad, describing herself as having “a bit of a geeky side”.

That love of music is also shaping where she hopes to live. After two years in Alongside's supported housing service for autistic adults, Matilda is looking ahead to a place she can settle long term, ideally in or near London where more of the bands she follows perform.

Finding her routine again

Before coming to Alongside, Matilda spent a year living with her mum. She had previously lived in student accommodation and hoped to find longer-term housing in the same city. When that proved difficult, she returned to family.

Moving into supported housing meant getting back into the routine of cooking, washing and managing everyday tasks. Matilda had learned these skills through an earlier supported housing provider, but after a year living with her mum, who had taken care of meals and washing, she was out of practice.

The first couple of weeks took some adjustment. As she settled in, doing things for herself became familiar again, with staff available during the week when she needed support.

“I got used to doing it again and so it became completely natural for me.”

She still stays with her mum at weekends. Family remains an important part of her life, and she has built strong relationships with the support workers around her.

Practical help and someone to turn to

The support Matilda receives changes depending on what is happening in her life. Sometimes that means help with practical tasks such as managing payments or paperwork. At other times, it means having someone by her side during difficult situations or while thinking through plans for the future.

The aim is to help Matilda do things for herself while knowing support is there when she needs it.

“There’s always someone to go to if there’s any issues.”

For example, staff have supported her to use online banking to manage regular service charge payments herself.

Matilda has also experienced anxiety, depression and occasional panic attacks. More recently, distressing encounters locally have made going out alone harder.

Staff supported her to contact the police about what had happened. Matilda spoke to them herself, with her support worker by her side when the conversation became overwhelming. She was able to explain her experience in her own words without having to manage the situation alone.

Looking for space of her own

Matilda enjoys the company that comes with sharing a house. There is often someone to chat to when she bumps into another resident.

Although she has friends, she would like to meet more people and build a wider social circle. As people her age have settled into relationships or started families, there have been times when she has felt left behind. Finding opportunities to make new connections locally has not always been easy.

Shared living also comes with frustrations. A mess left in the kitchen can lead to disagreements about who should clear it up. Over time, those small challenges have helped Matilda think more about what she wants from her next home.

One day, she hopes to have a place of her own where she can organise things the way she likes.

Planning for a lasting home

Matilda and her support workers are exploring housing options in and around London, including housing benefit and what support may be available when she moves.

She has moved on from supported housing before and wants to draw on that experience. This time, she is looking for somewhere more permanent. 

“Mainly I just want to live in a bigger city because there’s more happening there.”

For Matilda, music is part of that picture. Going to a gig currently means thinking about train times, the last service home and sometimes the cost of somewhere to stay.

Her support team is helping her explore the practical options while making sure her wishes remain at the centre of those conversations.

The search is still underway, but Matilda is already taking steps towards the future she wants for herself: a lasting home, greater independence and a place where she can build a life around the things that matter to her.

*Name changed to protect privacy. Image used for illustrative purposes.