Julie had been living with her support dog Kujo, in a two-bedroom house in Somerset, 
managed by Livewest. She initially moved to Somerset from Manchester in September 2020 as part of her rehabilitation programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. She spent 12 months in residential therapy due to life-changing medical conditions.
After completing her therapy, Julie faced the decision on whether to return to Manchester or continue building her new life in Somerset. She initially chose to stay in Somerset, where she could continue developing her physical and mental well-being with the support of Kujo. However, as time passed, she felt she had reached a point of acceptance in her journey and could live more independently again. She felt homesick and longed to return to Manchester, where she could be closer to her family and friends.
Julie spent around twelve months transitioning between Somerset and Manchester, gradually working through the emotional challenges of returning. She finally decided to actively pursue a mutual exchange; Julie joined House Exchange and spent about six months searching before successfully securing a swap in November 2024. Once the agreement was in place, the move happened quickly.
Julie found that communication between all parties involved in the exchange was smooth and respectful. Since all three properties involved in the swap shared the same goal, the process was relatively straightforward.
While the exchange itself went well, moving into her new home was a little tricky which added difficulty to the transition.
Julie’s new home is a two-bedroom flat in Manchester, managed by Onward Homes. Although she has successfully moved back, she acknowledges that the process of fully reintegrating into Manchester is still a work in progress. She continues to receive support from Somerset and still has strong attachments to her previous home. Through it all, Kujo has remained a constant, offering comfort, routine, and companionship throughout her recovery.
Julie hopes to be fully settled in Manchester by summer 2025, marking five years since the beginning of her journey. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to rebuilding her life and finding stability in her hometown, knowing she has Kujo by her side.
