2023-12-21 11:03:54
Support workers make Michelle’s dream of meeting Peter Andre come true
Lifelong Peter Andre fan, Michelle, has always dreamed of meeting the ‘90s pop singer and, this year, with support from staff at learning disability charity Hft, her dream came true.
Michelle has been a fan of Peter Andre for as long as she can remember, ever since Mysterious Girl was released 27 years ago in 1996. The 49-year old has pictures of him around her home and has always wanted to meet him.
So, when a support worker at Hft, Danielle Bowers, found out he was set to turn on the Christmas lights in Redditch this year, the team immediately knew they had to start making plans to make Michelle’s dream come true.
The first step was to arrange staffing for Michelle who regularly attends an Hft day service in Redditch. Support Worker Mercy Fereday said, without hesitation, that she would be happy to take Michelle to meet Peter.
Over the following weeks, staff kept an eye on social media to ensure he was still set to turn on the lights, which Peter himself later confirmed via a video on social media.
The big day took place on 25 November, a day before Michelle’s birthday, giving her the best birthday present she could have asked for.
After meeting Mercy and waiting in the queue for more than an hour, it was Michelle’s turn to meet Peter. Michelle was speechless when she came face to face with her idol but was greeted with a hug from Peter and the pair were able to take a few photos together. Michelle also asked him to sign a t-shirt of himself which she had taken with her.
Julie Grace, Deputy Care Home Manager at Hft, says, “Michelle has been on the biggest high ever since!”
Following the meeting, the Hft team have printed the pictures out for Michelle and plan to frame the signed t-shirt so she never forgets the time she met her “lifelong idol”.
This is just one example of the work Hft support staff do to make the dreams of learning disabled adults come true, going above and beyond to enable opportunities.
If you would like to play a part in enabling learning disabled adults to live the best life possible, please visit our ‘jobs’ page.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
