There’s something about LEGO that’s incredibly satisfying. Fitting the bricks together and making a model is a hobby that’s shared by millions of people worldwide.
As part of our person-centred Wheel of Engagement model, we encourage people we support to explore different hobbies and interests that appeal to them. Meet some of our LEGO fans, Steven, Steve, Ian, Shaun, Aaron, James and Jamie.
Focused and occupied
Steven’s favourite LEGO to build is vehicles, an interest which started at around 12 years old when he was given a small set of a car. He has a keen interest in LEGO Technic – engineering-led designs with functioning gearboxes, axles and wheels – and enjoys the challenge of completing his sets.
He says: “I really enjoy building my LEGO as it really keeps my stress levels down. I guess LEGOis my calming thing, it keeps me focused and I think what I’m trying to say is it’s my safe place.
“I’m so proud of myself when I see the finished product. It makes me feel like I’ve really accomplished something that I set for myself to do. Building keeps me very focused and keeps my mind occupied.”
Brick Fest and Legoland
This year, Steven attended his first LEGO Brick Festival in Cardiff and was thrilled to see so many models on show. He enjoyed pointing out to his Support Worker the sets he is saving up for. He bought a Lamborghini and finished it in an afternoon!
Steven is most proud of his helicopter. He says: “This is my best work. It took me a week and half to complete. It has a real working mechanical pulley and the propellers move. It’s the biggest set I’ve ever built and it was tricky at times. I had to redo some parts but I finally finished it. Although I built this one years ago it is still my all-time favourite and I put a lot of time and work into completing it.”
Having twice visited Legoland, Steven has set himself a goal to go again soon. “I really want to go again, there was so much to see there. It was the best trip ever!”
Flying Ford Anglia
Steve is another Welsh LEGO fan who particularly loves emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines and police cars. He enjoys displaying his finished sets on a shelf in his bedroom.
Recently, with support from his team, he completed the Harry Potter Flying Ford Anglia. He’s now creating a Botanical Lego set, often enjoying watching rather than building and loving the quality 1-1 time.
Working together
Shawn and Aaron often work on a LEGO build together. They also visit their local library in Kent to attend LEGO group and are looking forward to doing this again soon. Shawn has visited Legoland with housemate Joshua.
Flowers and buildings
Ian loves building LEGO because he loves seeing it all come together, sharing his passion with his Support Worker Natalie. They spend ‘hours together with all the fiddly bits’, making Botanical and Architecture sets and Ian is always engaged and enthusiastic.
He is very proud of himself, and a little surprised, when all the bricks turn into amazing flowers and buildings. Among Ian’s collection of completed sets are vases of flowers, animals, London and New York landmarks.
A popular, cheeky and lovable figure at his residential home in Kent, Ian also enjoys doing impressions which he’s very good at.
Bespoke modifications
James has been building LEGO models for over 35 years. Over time, he has taught himself how to modify kits to make them incredibly realistic and as operational and moveable as possible. He will spend hours and hours over days or weeks working out the technical details to allow for the movement. He particularly enjoys building agricultural and industrial vehicles and cars and will change even the smallest details that do not appear realistic.
One example of this is the LEGO City crane (below) which he has adapted to include more movement and features. If asked, James will show his newly completed models to housemates and support team, explaining his modifications in great detail. He is very easy to chat with when he’s sharing his passions.
For Christmas, James bought a Ducati motorcycle and has already shown his support team the changes he wishes to make. He has a supply of spare parts and will make sure he has all the parts needed before starting the build.
His Support Worker says: “James shows incredible patience when working with these models. He will not show them off until he has taken a model as far as he can or until it is perfect. It’s great to see him become so animated when explaining his work.”
Figures and characters
Another LEGO fan from a young age is Jamie. His interest is fantasy figures, classic characters, and TV/movie iconic models. He also loves transforming models. From watching YouTube videos of models that other people have designed and made, he will attempt to build similar items. His large selection of spare parts also helps!
Jamie spends long periods of time in his room building and he is always happy to show people what he has made. His collection is proudly displayed in his room. Jamie’s Support Worker says: “He shows a lot of patience when building models and he is very knowledgeable about the subject.”
She adds: “Jamie likes to keep his hands occupied and if he feels he needs to decompress or settle into a loud or busy environment he will play with a small model or he will fold anything he has to hand into amazing figures. This might be a scrap of paper, a receipt, silver foil, a napkin, or kitchen roll which he turns into very intricate items. By the time he finishes these he is usually ready to interact with the environment or people around him.”
Do take a look at some of the brilliant creations and their creators above and below.
