Ensuring that our services meet the needs of people we support is a key priority for us.
Tom, Andy, Dennis and John have been living together for over 20 years in our London Road residential service and, as they get older, they have found the main stairs, and split level ground floor, increasingly problematic. Going to bed at night had become difficult, and independence was starting to erode as Dennis in particular relied more heavily on staff to make drinks and access the kitchen which was only accessible via a number of steps.
Earlier this year, having consulted with residents, families and care managers, we decided that the time was right to find a bungalow to provide all the residents with a more accessible home environment. A suitable bungalow was located in Salfords and purchased earlier in 2018, with redevelopment work scheduled to convert the three-bedroom bungalow into a five-bedroom facility with shared communal space.
Tom, Andy, Dennis and John all moved to their new home at the end of November and will soon be joined by new housemate Margaret who is moving to live with them from another of our residential services in Reigate. This final piece of the jigsaw meets Margaret’s needs to live with others who are able to verbally communicate with her, and give the chaps an exciting new social dynamic in their new home.
The new communal lounge/diner/kitchen which overlooks the garden is already proving a really positive addition, especially for Tom who has dementia and Dennis who has more limited mobility. Since the move, Tom has been more alert and involved with staff and the other people we support with whom he lives, and he has started to really enjoy watching the birds and wildlife in the garden. Dennis has re-found his independence and now makes frequent unaccompanied trips to the kitchen area for drinks and snacks (in fact we’re told he managed to eat five cartons of chocolate mousse the other day!).
Moving day was exciting but exhausting for everyone, so they all decided to tuck in to takeaway fish and chips for dinner with a celebratory drink! We wish them all lots of happiness for many years to come in their new home.
