Brook Street’s Love Story

Kandy and Liam, two people supported at our charity’s Brook Street supported living service, celebrated a special milestone in their relationship recently, when they got engaged surrounded by friends and their support workers.  

The pair first met as neighbours three years ago and soon struck up a friendship, bonding over their love for music, dancing and going out with friends.  Since then, their relationship has blossomed.   

They both receive varying levels of support in managing their homes, exploring their community, and achieving their personal goals – and have found real independence since moving into Brook Street.    

After a couple of years of getting to know one another, they enjoyed their first date on Valentine’s Day last year. Since then, the team at Brook Street have supported them to learn more about relationships and how to navigate them safely and responsibly.  This included connecting with social workers and community nurses, and attending relationships groups facilitated by the local health and social care partnership.

Fast forward to this January, and Liam felt it was the time to ask Kandy a very important question. With the support of his team, he planned the perfect proposal and went shopping for an engagement ring.  

Earlier this year, Brook Street had been rated Outstanding by the Care Inspectorate and to mark this achievement, colleagues and people supported at the service decided to host a party to celebrate the success. Liam saw this as the perfect opportunity to propose, surrounded by the couple’s loved ones. 

Taking to the dance floor, Liam played one of their favourite songs, encouraged everyone to get up and dance, and then got down on one knee and asked Kandy to marry him.  

She said yes without hesitation, and the room erupted in cheers, applause and a few happy tears. 

Kandy and Liam said, “We are so excited to be celebrating this incredibly special occasion – it’s a moment we’ll treasure forever. Taking this next step together means the world to us and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as we begin this new chapter in our lives. We want to thank all of the people that have supported us over the past few years.”  

Carrie-Anne Scott, Regional Manager, said, “We’re so happy to celebrate this special milestone of two amazing people we support at our Brook Street service. Kandy and Liam have shown so much determination and patience throughout their journey together. It’s been a privilege supporting them and seeing their relationship grow into something so meaningful.” 

“Moments like these remind us why the support we provide is so important – everyone deserves the chance to love, to be loved and to live life on their own terms. Kandy and Liam’s engagement is a celebration of not only their relationship, but of what can be achieved when individuals are empowered to make their own choices and build the lives they want.”