The time of our life at Norwood

Ben and Alex, who have neurodevelopmental disabilities, met at four years old, when they were both living in a Norwood home. Now in their late forties, they’ve lived together ever since. As Alex say: “We were friends first and then became boyfriend and girlfriend. We like to do the same things.” Like dancing together to their signature song The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing. They know all the moves. Ben takes the part of Patrick Swayze and Alex Jennifer Grey’s.

Ben and Alex and live in one of Norwood’s supported living homes, where they plan their weekly timetable and hobbies with the help of their support workers. Alex loves to go to the cinema, playing crazy golf and singing karaoke – she’ll usually choose one of her favourite songs from The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast.

Ben loves to tell jokes and keep his housemates amused. He’s known for his love of the TV series The Walking Dead – he has all his friends call him Carl, after his favourite character. He’s also an avid Arsenal fan, watching their matches on TV at home with his support worker.

This year, Ben and Alex look forward to getting ready for Valentine’s Day with a disco with their housemates with a live DJ performing, but they’ll spend the actual day enjoying a romantic dinner at home.

Alex & Ben. Photo @BlakeEzraPhoto(C) Blake Ezra Photography 2023 Not to be reproduced without written permission.

Alex is hoping Ben will buy her flowers and chocolates like he usually does, and they’ll both be dressing up for the occasion.

Norwood provides strength-based, person-centred support to people with neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental disabilities, helping them to live life independently, build their confidence and nurture meaningful experiences and improved relationships with their families and communities.
It supports 186 adults in 15 residential and 11 supported living homes, all in community settings across London and Berkshire. Norwood residents receive support according to their needs, where they can enjoy being part of a community.

All its homes offer a loving, warm environment where Jewish values are at the heart of daily life. Its person-centred, specialist support enables people to live life on their own terms. It costs £32 million a year to run Norwood’s life-enhancing services, of which £12 million must be raised from voluntary donations.

With the exception of short breaks services, none of Norwood’s children and family services provision receives any statutory funding.

norwood.org.uk, 020 8809 8809
norwood.org.uk/donate.
Registered charity 1059050