Seeing what people can achieve. That's what stays with me.

When Leanne arrived, it became clear she needed additional support. Six weeks became months, and months became years. Looking back now, it is hard to imagine that I ever thought I would move on. At one point I was asked if I would consider joining the Community permanently. My first answer was no. I thought I should try something different. But when I went away and thought about it, I realised there was something drawing me back. "It was the people, first of all, and it was Leanne." I always felt she was a bit of a lost soul, and I wanted to see what we could achieve together.

When I look at Leanne now compared with when she first arrived, she is like a different person. I have watched her grow in confidence and experience things that once might never have seemed possible.

Over the years we have shared all sorts of experiences together. When I asked Leanne about some of her favourite memories, she immediately signed birds of prey and flamenco dancing from a recent holiday in Majorca.

Moments like that remind me just how much has changed since those early days.

Seeing people grow and achieve things they never thought possible is what has kept me here. Over the years I have seen people do things nobody thought they would do, including themselves. For me, that is what has always mattered most.

"It doesn't matter whether it is a small thing or a big thing. Seeing what people can achieve is what stays with me."

One memory still brings tears to my eyes. Leanne was taking part in a craft activity using a light box to trace pictures. When she finished, the pictures were framed and given back to her.

Seeing her reaction what she had achieved was incredible. "It brought tears to my eyes."

When I first arrived, community life looked very different from today. There were fewer houses, fewer activitiesand fewer opportunities. Leisure activities were often quite simple. People went walking, swimming or spent evenings singing, reflecting on the day and spending time together.

Morning Gathering was something that took a bit of getting used to. "It was a bit like starting your morning at school. You found out what was happening during the day and what was going on in the community."

Looking back, I think one of the biggest differences is choice. "When I first came here people had far fewer choices."

One of the biggest changes I have seen over the years has been the transformation of people's homes. When I first arrived, there were far fewer houses and people lived much more closely together. There was less personal space, but in some ways that meant people spent more time alongside one another throughout the day.

I remember when people first moved into houses with their own bathrooms and bedrooms. For some, that independence took a bit of getting used to because community life had always been much more shared.

Today, the newer houses have given people so much more choice. People can still be part of the community, but they can also choose whether they want company, want to sit quietly, or spend time with different people at different points in the day.

What I love is that people can still be part of the community while having their own space too.

That sense of community was also shaped by how much people did together in everyday life.

I remember when activities often involved everyone working together on practical jobs around the community. We grew vegetables, harvested potatoes and pumpkins and spent time outdoors together.

One summer, Leanne and I helped repair potholes around the community roads.

"We've got the boiler suits on and the steel toe cap boots and we're pouring the tar. I'll just put on whatever I'm told and that's it and I'll get on with it."

It was not unusual in those days for everyone to muck in and help wherever they were needed. Looking back, those are some of the memories that still make me smile.

I have also seen huge changes in the opportunities available to people. Workshops, activities, outings and holidays have all expanded over the years, opening up experiences that simply did not exist when I first arrived.

The volunteers have also been a massive part of my journey. Early in my career I promised myself I would never become too attached to people. I had found saying goodbye difficult and convinced myself it was better to keep a bit of distance. That plan did not last very long. "You get attached. You can't help yourself."

People arrived from all over the world, gave their time and became part of our lives. Before I knew it, I'd got attached. I think of people like Pedro, Carlos and Marco and the laughter, friendship and memories they brought to the community. I still have cards, gifts and keepsakes from volunteers over the years. One volunteer made me a beautiful wreath from leaves gathered around the community. Another left me a note while I was on holiday. Those small gestures meant a lot.

One of my favourite memories is seeing volunteers crawling around the garden pretending to be horses while residents rode on their backs. Everybody was laughing. Those moments stay with you. And that is the problem. You tell yourself not to get attached, but it is impossible.