For many people, watching an aeroplane climb into the sky is an unremarkable, everyday moment. For Kiera, a young person supported by Lyndene, it represents something far more significant – a lifelong dream that, with the right support, is steadily becoming a reality.
About Lyndene
Lyndene is a specialist service delivered by the Together Trust, supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and autism aged 8 to 18. Based in Wythenshawe, the service was established in partnership with Manchester City Council’s social care team and NHS England. Lyndene is dedicated to keeping families together, working alongside schools and multidisciplinary teams to develop tailored systems and strategies that improve wellbeing, strengthen family relationships, and support children’s access to education.
Where it all began
Prior to her referral to Lyndene, Kiera had not left her home for a significant period of time. Living with anxiety, epilepsy, and a diagnosis of autism and global delay, the prospect of re-entering the community presented considerable challenges. Concerns around experiencing a seizure in public, navigating unfamiliar situations, and building new relationships all contributed to her withdrawal from everyday life. With the dedicated support of the Lyndene team, Kiera has begun to change that.
Throughout this period, Kiera retained a deep and enduring passion for transport. Living in Wythenshawe, close to Manchester Airport, she would regularly watch aircraft from her back garden and spend time viewing aviation content online. Her interest extends across all forms of transport – aeroplanes, buses, trains and cars, but it is flying that holds a special place for her. Her long-held ambition is to board a real aeroplane and experience flight for herself.
The turning point
Following her referral to Lyndene, the team took time to understand Kiera’s individual needs, interests and goals. Support was introduced gradually, allowing Kiera to re-engage with the community at a pace that felt manageable and safe for her. The results have been remarkable.
With consistent support from Lyndene staff, Kiera has made meaningful and sustained progress in managing her anxiety and engaging with the wider community. She has developed new coping strategies, built trust with her support team, and continued to extend the boundaries of what she feels able to do.
Milestone moments
One of Kiera’s most significant achievements to date has been a visit to the Ringway viewing platform. During this outing, she was able to interact calmly with members of the public and observe aircraft taking off at close range – a powerful milestone for a young person who, not long ago, was watching planes from the safety of her back garden.
Kiera has also entered a model aeroplane that is open to the public – a significant step for someone working towards her goal of experiencing flight. Whilst this was not a functional aircraft, it represented an important and meaningful progression towards her long-term ambition.
Kiera is now completing regular bus journeys as part of her community engagement. She has developed a particular fondness for travelling on the upper deck, and these journeys have become a valued and enjoyable part of her routine.
A transformation worth celebrating
The team at Lyndene have observed Kiera’s progress with great pride. The extent of her development, given the significant barriers she faced at the outset, reflects both her own determination and the quality of the support she has received. Each outing, each journey, and each positive interaction represents a meaningful step forward.
Amy-Leigh Bowler, Kiera’s Positive Behaviour Support Worker at Lyndene, reflects on her progress: “We have seen an amazing change in Kiera and we are so proud of every achievement she has made.”
Kiera’s ambition to board a real aeroplane remains firmly in sight. The progress she has made over a relatively short period of time demonstrates what can be achieved with the right support, the right environment, and the determination to keep moving forward.
The Together Trust and the Lyndene team look forward to continuing to support Kiera on her journey.
Kiera’s story is shared with the full support and consent of her family. Thank you to Amy-Leigh and the whole Lyndene team for championing Kiera every step of the way.
