A television actor whose life was turned upside down after a freak accident in a supermarket has told how her recovery from spinal injuries transformed her outlook from ‘total despair to hope’. Rochdale born Jeni Williams, an actor and comedian whose memorable TV roles include appearances on Coronation Street, Emmerdale and The Royal, fell while on a routine shopping trip in September 2016.
Jeni said living in housing which supported her care and rehabilitation ‘changed everything for me’ and credits the move to supported living there ‘as being key to her successful recovery’. Jeni recalls the day that changed her life with the utmost clarity. “I had given up on myself, but my friends and loved ones, they didn’t give up on me. It was a case of I had to pull through because of them, my sons and grandsons."
“Later I did some stand up comedy and won a couple of competitions at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester, but then I had my accident so everything just stopped.” Jeni has shared her story to highlight the support that independent living schemes like Hoyles Court provide, as Irwell Valley Homes celebrates its 50th birthday.
The not-for-profit housing provider was launched in May 1973 with just a handful of homes in Salford and now supports more than 20,000 customers across Greater Manchester, including 11 independent living schemes. “I’m still stuck with chronic pain but I can walk and I try my best to do what I can do,” she said. “I’m doing things I previously couldn’t.”