Residents moving into supported living scheme
Released: 26 November 2007
A new supported living scheme in Wolverhampton which will help people with a learning disability to live more independent lives is about to open its doors.
Tenants are moving into the two bungalows and four apartments that make up the development in Church Street, Heath Town, over the next fortnight.
Built by Wolverhampton City Council in partnership with Bromford Housing Group, Church Street will offer state-of-the-art accommodation.
Kathy Roper, Wolverhampton City Council’s learning disability joint commissioning officer, said: “Everybody is really excited about it and people just cannot wait to move in.
“The scheme is all about encouraging people to be as independent as possible – learning skills like looking after themselves and their flat, paying their bills including rent and food, being a good neighbour and being a part of the community.”
Wendy Stephens, regional head of supported housing at Bromford, added: “Giving customers the opportunity to become as independent as they want to be has been the focus in planning our services.”
Three residents will move in from the council’s outdated Holloway House, which will subsequently close, while the remainder will be able to move out of the family home, perhaps for the first time, and live more independent lives.
The houses and flats come complete with white goods and blinds, but people will be encouraged to make them their own by selecting their own furniture and other mod cons.
And because two people will live in each property, residents have been busy making new friends and choosing who they would most like to live with.
Kathy explained: “They have gone through a programme of preparation, learning what it is going to be like living in their own place. And as they went through the process, they paired up with each other and sorted out who they were going to live with.
“Since then they have been busy doing all their shopping - choosing their sofas, tables and chairs, carpets and curtains - which is really nice. And because everyone will be moving in at once it will give the area a really nice community feel.”
Support will be on hand for the first couple of months in order to help the residents settle in as it will be the first time they have lived on their own. The bungalows and flats are also fitted with hi-tech Telecare sensors which will alert carers if, for instance, someone has a fall or an epileptic seizure.
The new tenants will be moving in at the end of November, and an official opening is expected some time in the New Year.
Church Street is the latest in a long line of new facilities developed by the city council and Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust especially for adults with a learning disability. Other new facilities include developments at Billy Wright Close, St Aidins Close, Bridge Street and Lorien Close, the latter of which opened in June.
Bromford Housing Group is also building a range of shared-ownership properties at Church Street.
Issued by the press office.