A young man with learning difficulties may soon be able to move into a home of his own for the first time after making major progress in living independently while living at a 10-bedroom residential service in Littleport.

Lewis Arnett, 23, has started the process of finding the first home of his own through Home-Link Cambridgeshire.

He is currently supported in Alderton House, Littleport by ACH, part of the Regard Group, who support people to live independently.

Homes manager, Theresa Clarey, said: “Lewis is now enjoying being part of the local community on his own and goes fishing and has a job. Our aim is always to help people to live independently and the next step for him will be his own home.”

Lewis moved in to Alderton House in December 2010 and has received intense support to help him with his psychosis and autism, which at first made it hard for him to cope with life.

Now he has a part-time job in a local shop as well as carrying out voluntary work. He is looking for companionship and has applied for the Stars In The Sky Dating site and would like to take part in Channel 4s The Undateables television programme.

Lewis is learning about budgeting for shopping and his one-to-one support has been lowered from 10 hours per week to three-and-a-half hours per week to reflect the progress he is making in being independent.