Staff at Sunnybank want to train people with learning disabilities to become more independent, this helps the world change and get better. I really like coming to Sunnybank, and I hope it will be in my life forever. Sunnybank makes me feel more than happy – it’s a feeling I cannot explain. It is very important to my life. I wish Sunnybank will grow to help more people with learning disabilities.

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Before I joined Sunnybank, life was very difficult for me. We had just arrived in the UK from Hong Kong. Everything was new – college, language, even my health and wellbeing. I missed my Hong Kong friends and couldn’t do much while we waited for proof of address before applying for GP and college. My parents were very busy trying to help me connect with community centres and find support. We were living in B&B accommodation before moving to Surrey. I was not happy before I came to Sunnybank. My life has changed a lot since joining.

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I first heard about Sunnybank in 2022 when I moved to Surrey and was looking for support. My GP recommended Sunnybank. The first club I joined was Coffee and Chat in February 2022 at the Methodist Church. That’s when I met Annie and Lauren, and my mum agreed with the suggestions they gave us for moving forward. They recommended I join the Futures group, so I contacted Claire by email.

After the first session of Futures, I found it was very different. It was not like college where you just listen to the teacher, take notes, and push for grades. In Futures, I could do tasks in every session and learn in a different way.

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I have done work experience in a café, learned travel training and road safety, learned about scams, given a Hong Kong Chinese New Year presentation that made me more confident, and joined in the Christmas party. I hope we can go on more trips like last year. One of my dreams is to travel to London on my own after training, or with a friend.

I have learned how to use Canva to design posters, create projects for Bourne Hall Museum, and even train staff me to use Canva. Sometimes trying something new feels challenging, but it helps me grow.

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I have made new friends at Sunnybank. The first friend I met was Beth. I also enjoy working with David because he understands me, speaks clearly, and is very kind and helpful.

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My goal is to help people with learning disabilities. I want them to know that even if you have problems, you don’t have to give up. My dream is to work for Sunnybank and become a member of staff.

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Sunnybank staff have helped me a lot, especially with budgeting and preparing people with learning disabilities for paid work. In the UK, 1.8 million people with learning disabilities have no paid work, and Sunnybank is helping to change this.

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In 2024 I joined Understand Us. My role is to make Easy Read documents and use Canva to design posters and projects. I have given presentations, run workshops, and taken part in audits. One big moment was presenting at Epsom and Ewell Council in the evening. It was my first time speaking to councillors. I felt nervous, but Claire and Dorothy helped me practise and prepare.

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This year we have done a lot of projects, including audits for museums, banks, and councils, and workshops for Sunnybank staff, NHS, and other charities. Understand Us is about people with learning disabilities helping businesses and services improve. I hope more young adults with learning disabilities will join us so we can grow and make services better.

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Sunnybank has changed my life and is helping to change the world as well.

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Jennifer Chung, Sunnybank Member