An exciting new housing development in Stevenston will help to promote independent living for North Ayrshire residents with disabilities.
Now nearing completion, the development consists of 12 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom homes on the site of the old Caley Court sheltered housing complex. Caley Gardens is the latest development in a joint investment by North Ayrshire Council and North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
The development (pictured above right) has been made possible through grant funding from the Scottish Government to provide supported living accommodation for people with physical and learning disabilities and/or mental illnesses in North Ayrshire. Similar developments include Bessie Dunlop Court in Dalry, Bute Walk in Largs, St Michael’s Gardens in Kilwinning and Trindlemoss Court in Irvine – these have already opened over the past two years.
Each home will be equipped so that assistive technology can be installed to suit the needs of each individual resident, helping to provide support in a way that promotes independence as well as reducing risk. In addition, 24-hr responsive support will be provided by third sector partner Key, who have been providing personalised support in the area for almost 30 years.
To find out more about how the new supported living accommodation is improving the lives of residents in North Ayrshire, Staff Talk caught up with Nathan Dawkins, who moved into Bute Walk in Largs in February of this year. Support at Bute Walk (pictured below left) is provided by Enable.
Nathan said: “Moving into Bute Walk has been really good, as it’s given me my own living space and independence. Living in a place like this gives me the capacity to make my own decisions, which is really important, and I have the freedom to come and go as I please without a time limit. I really enjoy that flexibility.
“Although I’m fairly independent and don’t need a huge amount of support, having the Enable staff here is really great and they are able to help me with things like housework or shopping if I ever need it. They are also on the ball at making sure I take my medication at the right times, and while I am generally good at doing that myself, it’s great to have that kind of a safety net.
“I’m starting a new course at Ayrshire College soon, and staff are able to give me a wake-up call if I need it to make sure I’m up and ready in time for college. Having them nearby overnight is also really reassuring.
“The staff here have assigned support times, where we can do things like go for walks or go to the gym, and I’ve got to know some of the other residents through attending Neighbourhood Network sessions, where we meet up to do activities like crafts and learn life skills. That’s been really brilliant. The staff of Enable and Neighbourhood Networks have been so supportive since I’ve been here. I love Bute Walk, it just feels like home now.”
Caroline Cameron, Director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be taking forward this latest development in Stevenston.
“These new homes will allow individuals to live as independently as possible and live life to the full within our communities, with the assurance of having assistance on hand when required.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Key, an organisation that has been shaped by the lived experience of families and people with disabilities, and are keen to support them in their efforts to recruit the very best people to be a part of this exciting new development for disabled people in our community.”
Do you work in the Health and Social Care Partnership and have a good news story or upcoming opening/project launch that you would like to share? If so, email: nicolateager@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for your chance to be featured in the next edition of Staff Talk.