“I Thought, Is This Really the Rest of My Life?” — Dom’s Story

At 35, Dom lives in Repton and is navigating life after a devastating car accident that left him in intensive care and facing a long, difficult recovery. The injuries were life changing. Dom was left with epilepsy, a brain injury that affects how he thinks and remembers. Before the accident, Dom worked as a scaffolder, despite being scared of heights, and spent most of his time out with friends, living a busy, active life. Everything changed overnight.

With his independence suddenly limited, Dom was referred to Enrych by Adult Social Care around five years ago to support his recovery. At that point, life had become incredibly restricted.

“Before Enrych I would stay at home doing nothing,”

“I can’t go outside by myself due to the epilepsy and my memory loss. I thought, is this really the rest of my life?”

Dom describes those early years as a period of uncertainty, frustration, and grief for the person he used to be.

“It’s not an overnight thing, or an over week thing. It’s going to take a couple of years to get anywhere I need to be, but Enrych are guiding me on that way.”

Dom is supported by Dave, his Enrych support worker. Dave joined Enrych after retiring, motivated by his lifelong wish to help others, especially after seeing two of his brothers receive care.

“When I retired I wanted something to do, I had always wanted to support other people. It makes me feel young working with younger people like Dom. I had a long list of jobs when I retired and that list is still there. This is much more fun.”

Together, Dom and Dave attend the Feel Good Café every Tuesday morning. It has become an anchor point in Dom’s week, a place of routine, social connection and emotional reassurance. Dom says the café changed the way he sees himself and others.

“I don’t see other people at Enrych as clients, I see them as my mates. Everyone has issues, they’re in the same boat as me. Seeing these people each week, and seeing some get better, makes me feel that I can get better.”

Although Dom still feels he is “only a version” of his old self, he recognises how far he has already come. Bit by bit, his confidence is returning. He now pays attention to his health, thinking carefully about diet and wellbeing, determined to regain as much independence as possible.

One of Dom’s biggest goals is to drive again, a milestone that would change everything.

“Driving will give me my independence and improve my confidence. I would be able to work, earn money and get about like I used to.”

With Dave by his side and the support of Enrych, Dom feels hopeful about the future. His journey is ongoing, but he can now see a path forward, one shaped not by limitation, but by progress, friendship and possibility.