A Special Bond: Ollie and Sam’s Inspiring Journey of Support and Achievement

Ollie shares his joy of seeing Sam thrive at Hft’s Wadebridge Resource Centre.

As brothers, Ollie and Sam Mitchell enjoy a loving and close relationship.

But what gives the pair an extra special bond is the fact that Ollie manages the resource centre his learning disabled brother attends, run by the charity Hft.

Ollie, 37, is Day Opportunities Manager at Hft’s resource centre in Wadebridge.

The purpose-built resource centre, which opened in 1994, operates Monday to Friday offering group and one-to-one activities, from life skills training such as road safety, to pottery and art classes.

For Sam, who also works at a café in the Cornish town, the three days he spends at the centre is among the highlights of his week.

“There’s always something to do here and I am always learning new things,” said Sam.

“I enjoy going on the outings which are planned and I’ve made lots of friends.

“I like coming here and seeing Ollie. He does a good job and I am proud he is my brother.”

Sam, who has Down Syndrome, and Ollie have two other brothers and a sister, all who live in Cornwall. Growing up they lived in the small moorland village of St Breward.

“When Sam was young he had to undergo open heart surgery,” said Ollie.

“He was in and out of hospital a lot during his younger years and mum used to stay up with him at the hospital in Bristol.

“Growing up we were all very close.” Sam, 32, was supported to attend mainstream primary school before attending the Greenfield Unit at Bodmin College.

“We went to primary school together,” said Ollie, “Sam was in reception and I was in year five. “Everyone knew and loved Sam.

“Naturally as my little brother I always felt very protective of him. “At such a young age, I didn’t realise there was a lack of understanding about learning disability.

“To me and everyone else, he was just Sam.”

As children Ollie, Sam and their siblings enjoyed a happy and fulfilling childhood, enjoying days out together including to nearby beaches.

“We had a lovely childhood,” said Ollie. “Mum and dad were incredible, with dad working days and mum working nights to make sure we had all we needed.”

On leaving school, Sam’s parents applied, and fought, for funding for Sam to attend Derwen College in Shropshire.

The college supports students with educational needs and disabilities to gain the opportunity to learn vocational and independence skills.

Sam studied printing and catering. On returning home from his studies Sam moved into Hft’s supported living service in Wadebridge.

From there Sam, who shares the property with four other learning disabled adults , secured a job at a local café.

“I really enjoy my job at the café and meeting all the people which come in,” said Sam. “I like the independence it gives me.”

Ollie enjoys seeing Sam thrive at the resource centre.

“To me, Sam is just my little brother,” smiled Ollie.

“But it’s very rewarding to see him and others supported at the resource centre get so much benefit out of the activities we do.”

Ollie worked in a café in St Breward as a teenager and was planning to train as a teacher. But while waiting to take up a place at Plymouth University, he started work as a carer at an activity centre for learning disabled adults in Lanlivery.

The 20 bed service offered week long holiday activity breaks. “Every week was different and it was a real learning curve,” said Ollie.

“I did everything from personal care, supporting with medication and planning activities.”

When the activity centre closed, Ollie joined Hft, initially working as a relief support worker at the resource centre.

He then worked as a senior support worker at Hft’s supported living service in Liskeard, a specialist service supporting people with Prader Willi Syndrome, before returning to the resource centre as a senior support worker in 2017, and later taking the role as Day Opportunities Manager.

“Growing up with Sam the qualities such as patience and understanding – both key elements of being a support worker- were instilled in me a from a young age,” said Ollie.

“Once I started on the journey of being a support worker, I knew that helping others thrive would be a career I would find fulfilling.” The resource centre supports learning disabled adults aged between 19 to in their 70s.

Many of the staff who work for Hft at the service have been in post for more than 20 years. Some of those using the services live at Hft supported living properties.

Others are supported in the community by the charity. “We have a very person-centred approach at the resource centre,” said Ollie.

“While we run a lot of activity session, our Coast Group focuses on enabling the people we support to gain life skills, from cooking to money skills.

“What we do here supports people by giving them the skills to live full and independent lives. “I’m proud of everyone we support.

“But as a big brother I am extra proud of Sam and all he has achieved, and will go on to achieve, with the guidance and support of his family and all of us here at Hft.”