Before joining Active Care Group, Vahinish worked in a furniture shop, helped with removals and house clearances, and even pitched in with painting and building jobs for his landlord.

Vahinish has always been a resourceful person.

By 2019, he realised he wanted something different from his job role. After applying to a job at Active Care Group, Vahinish began working at Liberty Court, our supported living care service for adults in Surrey.

Since then, Vahinish has worked across several services, including Mayfield Road and Foxley Lane, our residential services for adults with learning disabilities and autism and is known for always being someone to rely on.

It all started when a colleague asked if he’d be available to help cover a shift. She knew he could drive and needed someone to support individuals on outings. Vahinish agreed, for the simple reason that he genuinely wanted to help.

Vahinish quickly became known for going the extra mile. “I think it’s important for the individuals we support to be able to experience as much as they can and want to,” he says. “If they can’t go out on their own, then we have to be the ones to take them.”

At Foxley Lane, Vahinish brings fresh ideas and energy to the team. He’s known for suggesting trips to places like Brighton, the Sea Life Aquarium, and the Twist Museum. His philosophy is simple: “If it looks like a quiet day, I try to do something about it, even if it’s just going to the park for a tea and a slice of cake.”

Over time, Vahinish has grown in confidence. “At first, I just did what I was told. But now, if I see nothing is happening, I’ll organise something.” From arts and crafts to musical club nights organised by Club Soda (a music venue for individuals with learning disabilities), he helps the individuals we support experience the world outside their homes.

One individual, Vahinish, supports is a big fan of the singer Daniel O’Donnell, so he helped organise a trip to a live concert, making sure their parents were involved and everything was arranged properly, even on his day off.

Communication with families is a big part of his role. “I’ll always check in if I have an idea or if we’re planning something. It’s about making sure everyone’s comfortable and included.”

He’s also quick to adapt to everyone’s needs. For example, one resident doesn’t wish to attend clubs, so instead of dance nights, Vahinish plans scenic drives and sensory sessions. “You’ve got to do what works for the person,” he says. “Not everyone enjoys the same thing.”

He’s proactive, too, when it comes to practicalities – from checking whether a venue has wheelchair access or accessible toilets, to calling ahead if anything’s unclear. He knows that every detail matters. “We’ve been to bowling, concerts, and  pubs.”

Day-to-day, his shift begins with a handover, followed by checking the diary, attending to personal care, meals, and activities. And while many of the people supported at Foxley Lane are non-verbal, Vahinish has learnt how to read their preferences and reactions. “You pick it up over time,” he explains. “There’s one person who loves ‘Old MacDonald’ – he lights up when we play it. Another loves Cocomelon videos.”

He’s taken a lot from the role over the years. “I’ve learnt so much, especially on the medical side – about medications, appointments, behaviour”.

Training has been a constant, with sessions on medication, positive behaviour support, infection control, and manual handling. “It’s an ongoing thing,” he says. “But it helps.”

His colleagues trust him. So much so, they often request to be on shift with him, knowing that if he’s there, there’ll probably be an outing planned. “It keeps morale up,” says Gayathri Gangireddy, Service Manager at Foxley Lane. “He brings a bit of light into the day.”

And finally, when asked what advice he’d give someone starting in the role, his response is grounded and real: “Understand that some days will be hard, while others will be brilliant. But it’s worth it. Learn what each person likes. Give them the best life you can.”