Dominic's story

Dominic* is a proud dad and grandad, with two sons and four grandchildren. His son Liam lives far away but visits often. They’ve grown closer since Dominic began getting support for alcohol misuse, which has been a lifelong challenge.

Recently, Dominic started to become withdrawn. He stopped looking after himself and struggled to care for his home. He grew increasingly isolated as his alcohol misuse and suicidal ideation got worse. Concerned for his dad’s wellbeing, Liam reached out to Adult Social Care.

At first, Dominic didn’t want help. He’d spent years avoiding services due to shame and fear of being judged. But our social worker didn’t give up. She worked hard to connect with Dominic through informal check ins, friendly conversations about football, which he loves, and gentle curiosity. She also spoke to his family, friends and neighbours to get a clearer picture of his life and build trust.

Slowly, Dominic opened up.

Our social worker then reached out to our housing team, who helped to make Dominic’s home safe, and a local charity, who cleaned it. Stockport Support Hub stepped in to offer practical help around the home and access to community resources. And an alcohol service provided support with Dominic’s alcohol misuse. His GP and children also got involved, providing encouragement and motivation.

Dominic gradually began to make progress. He became more willing to engage with services and accept help, and even started to show pride in his achievements.

His relationship with his social worker was a big part of that. By being patient, building trust and meeting Dominic where he was, she created a safe space for him to talk and feel heard. His children say they’ve noticed a real difference in his wellbeing as a result, and thanked her for not giving up. In feedback, Dominic even called her a ‘star’.

Leaving home is still a challenge for Dominic, but his mindset has already changed for the better. He’s expressed interest in volunteering and is beginning to set his own goals for recovery. He’s looking forward to a future where he can live with more dignity, proud of himself and part of his community once more.

*We've changed Dominic's name and other identifying information.

Visit our pages on safeguarding adults to find out how to prevent and report abuse and neglect, and how we work in partnership to protect and support adults in Stockport.

Read more adult social care stories.