George is 22 and has a rare genetic condition called GRIN2B. He is non-verbal, uses a wheelchair and needs full support with all aspects of daily life. But, as his mum Jane explains, there is much more to him than his diagnosis.

“He communicates in his own ways – he laughs, blows raspberries and you can tell from his noises whether he is happy or cross. He loves music, people being silly and trees. You can stand in front of him and do a silly dance and he’ll just smile and laugh.”

When George approached the end of school, Jane faced an uncertain future.

“That was the scary part – leaving school and thinking, what are we going to do now? School had always been there and suddenly you’re thinking he’ll just be at home all the time. We’d all go mad,” says Jane.

After visiting FX, Jane immediately felt reassured.

She said, “We went in and it was just a relief. I thought, right, this is where George’s going to go. You just know when somewhere feels right.”

The transition was supported gradually, with George attending during school holidays a couple of days a week before leaving education fully. The early support made a huge difference.

Jane said, “Even having a couple of days meant I could do food shopping or get things done at home. I don’t work but really I am – running a house and caring full-time is constant.

Since joining FX, the impact on the whole family has been significant.

“Without it, we just wouldn’t cope. We’d be stuck at home most of the time, just me and George. Now he’s out having experiences we could never manage on our own. He’s been to places I’ve never even heard of,” Jane explains.

Jane says the biggest change is peace of mind. “He comes home content, with a smile on his face and you know he’s had a good day. The staff really know him now, they understand what he needs and how to help when he’s unsettled.”

The support has also allowed Jane to take an important step for herself. “I’ve started volunteering. It’s the first thing I’ve done for myself since George was born. The FX has given me a little bit of my life back,” she says.

For other families facing transition, her advice is simple, “Get in there. I tell everyone about FX and have even spoken at his old school to parents going through the same dilemma I faced. I never thought I’d feel that level of trust again after school, but I do now – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”