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A Social Enterprise providing community based support for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and mental health in the South West
Celebrating 10 Years of You First CIC
Latest article 16 Feb 2024
Celebrating 10 Years of You First CIC

Around 35 years ago, I was listening to an inspirational speaker who said “I knew someone once who aimed at nothing, and guess what? They hit it!” I’ve not forgotten that! This document is the antithesis of this, it is a clear an

Design4Life!
Latest article 27 Jun 2022
Design4Life!

Like most social care providers, You First receives almost daily calls from Commissioners of support, asking if we have capacity to respond to emergency situations where support for someone has broken down in some way. When we ask the question &ld

White Privilege
Latest article 17 Jun 2020
White Privilege

You First is a Social Enterprise that not only welcomes and embraces difference, but celebrates it. We have a shared humanity - each of us are human beings, but at the same time each of us are uniquely different. This wonderful diversity means tha

Family Voices: Richard and Annie
Latest article 16 Jun 2020
Family Voices: Richard and Annie

From the very beginning the approach from You First management was completely different from our experience with previous care providers. We feel You First support our family as a whole, helping us live as normal a life as possible whilst our daug

Family Voices: Lyn Barraclough
Latest article 22 May 2020
Family Voices: Lyn Barraclough

My son started to receive support from You First in December 2014. Previous to this he was living in a residential setting and finding it very difficult to cope. He struggled with the noise and actions of the people he was living with. He became v

Family Voices: Sally Lever
Latest article 20 May 2020
Family Voices: Sally Lever

When my son first made the move to independent living, he was supported by a local agency that was recommended by Adult Social Care. Although they supported him well for a few years, they encountered financial and staffing difficulties which entai

Family Voices: Mrs W
Latest article 18 May 2020
Family Voices: Mrs W

What I really like about the support my son receives from You First is that it is responsive and flexible and adapts to his differing situations and needs. This is largely due to the communication system - Slack - which is shared between suppo

Family Voices: E&S
Latest article 11 May 2020
Family Voices: E&S

  In Praise of You First I would like to say how fortunate we were when You First was suggested as the company to look after our relative M who was born with severe autism and learning difficulties, and has also recently

Family Voices: Patrick Matthews
Latest article 06 May 2020
Family Voices: Patrick Matthews

You First first supported my brother "I," in September 2014. Our mother Joyce had looked after I all his life and had provided a secure and loving home for him. However, Mum was not very well and was becoming more and more infirm and the

Family Voices: Helen and Malcolm Brown
Latest article 04 May 2020
Family Voices: Helen and Malcolm Brown

My two children are adults with autistic spectrum disorders supported by You First. I run a monthly support group for families affected by autistic spectrum disorders and in that capacity as I regard the company so highly, I have pointed many to Y

Meet The Team: Kim's Journey
Latest article 23 Apr 2020
Meet The Team: Kim's Journey

My story with You First has been a short one so far but one I see in my future for a very long time. After leaving my job back in February this year after spending two and a half years in a retail store, I realised how judgmental this wor

Meet the Team: Colin's Story
Latest article 18 Apr 2020
Meet the Team: Colin's Story

A few years ago I lost my Mum and Dad. Dad went suddenly, but Mum had bowel cancer. I was working in production at the time and my employers were not at all understanding and in the end, I lost my job. Mum was receiving palliative care and my Son

Meet the Team: Aaron's Journey
Latest article 17 Apr 2020
Meet the Team: Aaron's Journey

In our culture, people are largely concerned with identity. 'Who you are' and 'what you do' are things people are obsessed by; which faith you have, which party you support, what work you do and what hobbies you're passionate a

M's Journey
Latest article 24 Jul 2019
M's Journey

M is a lady with complex autism, acute sensory sensitivity and bi-polar disorder. Andy (You First’s CEO) and Nathalie (Operational Director) have known her for over 30 years and both will tell you that knowing and working with M is a privile

Don’t Ignore the Soft Outcomes
Latest article 24 Jun 2019
Don’t Ignore the Soft Outcomes

This week, Elly, fulfilled one of her life goals – to drive a tractor. She did more than drive a tractor actually, she spent time ploughing a field bringing together her love of vehicles and enjoyment of land-based activity (she has a flouri