Bringing Life Back Into Focus: Dorothy’s Story

At Thrive Homecare, we often say that support should be about more than care alone. It’s about helping people to thrive, and Dorothy’s story shows exactly what that means.

When we first met Dorothy, the people around her were thinking about care but not about living. She had become a shell of her former self, with high support needs, and yet one thing was clear: she was determined to stay in her own home.

What she needed wasn’t just help, but a chance to be herself again.

Dorothy’s passions gave us the path forward. She adored Cliff Richard – so we found a way to surprise her with a signed poster. She loved dogs – so we made sure her own dog was cared for and that she continued to be surrounded by the companionship and joy they bring. She enjoyed trips out – so we supported her to reconnect with her local community. Piece by piece, Dorothy began to live again.

In this video, Thrive Homecare Co-founder Chris Gage and Director of Wellbeing Alise Kirtley share Dorothy’s story and explore how a relationship-centred approach transforms lives – not just meeting needs, but enriching them.