Friends together

Doreen and Maggie are best friends and have just moved into their first home together at the ages of 80 and 77 respectively. This huge step has made a massive difference in their lives and they are now planning to put their stamp on their new place. Sinead McHugh-Hicks shares their story. Doreen and Maggie, who have learning disabilities and complex physical needs, have been lifelong friends, having first met when they were placed in a large institution in Sheffield together in the late 1930s. But after more than 70 years spent in various institutions and residential homes, they are