This paper describes the use of a new project, 'from the inside looking out' (FILO) (N. Richardson Unpublished data), to develop communication, interaction and emotional literacy skills with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The authors utilized tools derived from Intensive Interaction Therapy [D. Hewett & M. Nind (1994) Access to communication. London, David Fulton Publishers; D. Hewett & M. Nind (1998) Interaction in action: reflections on the use of Intensive Interaction. London, David Fulton Publishers]and applied these within a FILO paradigm to run an 8-week group with five participants where the aim was to build relationships and enhance awareness of emotional variables. The results were measured using both quantitative and qualitative analysis and it was found that a number of discreet observable behaviours related to interactive ability were positively changed across all participants. Important processes within the group are analysed and recommendations for expanding this approach in the future are discussed.

Accessible summary• Raymond is a man with learning disabilities who has lived most of his life in a hospital away from the community where he grew up.• After the government asked everyone to help people with learning disabilities to come back to live in the community (the Winterbourne Review), we spent time getting to know Raymond and helped him move out of hospital into his own flat.• Many people believed that Raymond was too challenging to come out of hospital so one of the most important things that we did was help others to think differently about Raymond.• It is important for us to tell Raymond's story so that other people with learning disabilities can be supported to move out of hospitals and live in the community. SummaryRaymond, a 62 year old gentleman diagnosed with severe and profound learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and severe challenging behaviour, who had lived in long stay campus-based hospital accommodation for 46 years was supported to move to a community project developed to support people to live in their own bespoke flat. This narrative case study describes the journey that Raymond took from institutionalised care to community life.

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