A new supported living service ‘Ardcora’ has been celebrated (Thursday 26 June) by Health Minister Edwin Poots and Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland. The service developed in partnership with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, Mainstay DRP, Housing Executive Supporting People and Triangle Housing Association provides supported living for people with learning disability in the Downpatrick area.
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South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, Health Minister Edwin Poots, Dr Paddy Moore, Helen xxx, Chjief Executive of Mainstay DRP, and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Billy Walker.[/caption]
The key principle of the service is to provide care and support that is person-centred which helps people live a more independent life. The new model is based on a key set of values: citizenship; social inclusion; empowerment; working together; and individual support.
This service provides a supported housing alternative that meets the needs of people who were long stay patients awaiting resettlement from Muckamore Abbey Hospital and also for people with a learning disability who were on the local housing list awaiting an appropriate tenancy.
Hospitals, including learning disability hospitals, should be for assessment and treatment and no-one should be expected to live there. Equally, people with a learning disability should be supported in adulthood to live as independent a life as possible, playing a full role in their local community.
Supported living is key to an inclusive society.
Everyone should be supported to live in their own home, in their own community, and this should apply to people with a learning disability or other health needs.
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DSD MInister Nelson McCausland and Health MInister Edwin Poots with Ardcora residents Philip Foster and Kevin Murphy.[/caption]
These were the key messages delivered by Health Minister Edwin Poots and Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland as they met with staff, partners and residents of Ardcora Supported Living Service in Downpatrick.
Ardcora Supported Living Service assists 24 people with a learning disability to live in the local Downpatrick community with the support of their own staff. The service has continued to grow and has accommodated former long stay hospital patients as well as people from the community. Tenants live in a range of ordinary domestic houses across Downpatrick which has promoted their social integration and enhanced the independence and choice available for each tenant in planning their daily living activities.
Addressing delegates Health Minister Poots said: “Making a difference to the lives of all in our society, and especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, remains a firm priority for me. “I am very interested to see at first hand the range of different facilities which have been established to offer a new home, and a new life, to former patients of learning disability hospitals.
“It is consistent with the principles of better health outcomes, and integrated working as outlined in Transforming Your Care, and documents like Bamford’s “Equal Lives” which preceded it.
This new service has been developed as a result of a partnership involving the Department for Social Development (DSD), South Eastern HSC Trust, Mainstay DRP (formerly known as Downe Residential Project), NI Housing Executive, Triangle Housing Association, Carers and the tenants themselves.
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The Mainstay DRP project team with NIHE officals and Minister Poots and Minister McCausland.[/caption]
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: “As Minister responsible for the Supporting People programme I understand the importance of ensuring that all our vulnerable citizens are given the support to live independently in the community.
“The service at Ardcora really has changed lives. The range of care and housing support available has helped some of the most vulnerable in our society to live as independently as possible, enhancing their self esteem and quality of life. That is incredibly important, first and foremost to those who live here, but to parents, carers, volunteers and the local community.
“This is an excellent facility and I very much welcome the fact that we are able to deliver a joined up service for people with a learning disability and their carers in Downpatrick area. We also congratulate all those agencies who have worked closely together to make it such a success.”
” Mr Poots concluded: “On behalf of myself and my Executive colleague Nelson McCausland, I can quite categorically say that we have been impressed by the success of the Ardcora Service here in Downpatrick. “It is an excellent example of how those with a learning disability are able to fully integrate into the local community and participate in local life.”
Colette and Maurice Fitzgerald are pleased with their son’s new living arrangements: “As parents, knowing that our 25-year old son Michael is happy and secure means everything to us, and we would highly recommend the Supported Living model.
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Helen Taylor, Mainstay DRP Chief Executive and Dr Paddy Moore, Board member, with Collete Fitzgerald who’s son lives in the Ardcora sheltered accomodation.[/caption]
” The Trust has established close partnership working with Mainstay DRP over a number of years. Mainstay DRP has established a proven track record for providing quality community living options for people with learning disability some of whom have complex challenging behaviours.”
Brendan Whittle, Director of Adult Services, South Eastern HSC Trust said: “The development of Supported Living services in the Downpatrick area has moved away from the previous larger residential provision, to providing a range of ordinary domestic homes which promotes independence in daily living. This new service will improve the lives of people significantly by enabling them to live a more independent life”
Helen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Mainstay DRP said: “The organisation is delighted that after many years of planning with all our partners this service is now a reality providing much needed homes for local people”.
Raymond Nicholl, Director of Housing, Triangle Housing Association, added: “Triangle is delighted to have been involved in this very successful project which has significantly improved the lives of our tenants. The Association has been working in partnership with Mainstay DRP for many years and this project is a very welcome extension of this arrangement. The Association looks forward also to working with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Dept. Social Development, NI Housing Executive and most importantly our tenants and their families to continue to help them build better lives together.”
Mary McDonnell, Senior Principal Officer in Supporting People said: “The Housing Executive has worked with and funded Mainstay DRP for a number of years. We welcome the extension to the existing Supporting People service, which has proved very successful in helping to provide a range of housing options for people with a learning disability.”
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