New supported living homes found to allow 16 disabled adults in Harpenden to live independently
Sixteen adults supported by Harpenden Mencap have been provided with new homes in the town by St Albans City and District Council.
Most of the adults, who have learning disabilities, were living at Harpenden Mencap’s Stairways site, in Douglas Road.
This residential care home and supported living facility opened in 1991 and is now in need of redevelopment.
The charity appealed to the Council for help in finding accommodation for the adults in its care while options for the building are examined.
The Council responded by identifying seven of its modern houses in Harpenden which could be leased to Harpenden Mencap and made suitable for their residents.
All the homes were specially adapted to provide flexible support for the adults, who have now moved in, and allow them considerable independence.
Hertfordshire County Council’s Community Commissioning for Disabled Adults team (CCDA) were also involved in the project.
They helped to ensure the homes - located in a quiet cul-de-sac - were converted into a place where disabled people can lead healthy, purposeful and self-supporting lives.
One of the Harpenden Mencap tenants said:
I’m really excited to move to a new home overlooking the countryside where I can see horses from my bedroom window!
Councillor Paul De Kort, the Council’s Leader, said:
I am delighted that we were able to step in and find a solution to the housing problem that Harpenden Mencap has been faced with for a long time.
This is an excellent example of what organisations can achieve while working in partnership with a shared purpose.
Together with Harpenden Mencap and the CCDA, we’ve ensured local people can remain in their community and be empowered to live fulfilling lives.
Providing these homes involved much careful planning and preparation, ensuring that the adults’ needs and aspirations were at the heart of this transition. The new homes will provide a safe and supportive environment but also foster independence and community connections.
Angela Duce, Harpenden Mencap’s Chief Executive, said:
The provision of these new homes has unblocked the housing problem faced by Harpenden Mencap for the past 15 years. It has been so refreshing to work creatively with the Council and CCDA, thinking ‘outside of the box’ to make this happen.
As we approach Harpenden Mencap’s 70th anniversary, we are one step closer to our aim to create sustainable, affordable accommodation for people with learning disabilities in the Harpenden area.
Kelly Amiran, CCDA’s Commissioning Manager, said:
The CCDA team has a clear ambition to assist care providers to create a place where disabled people lead healthy, purposeful and self-supporting lives.
Following the key principles of adult care services’ strength-based practice model, ‘connected lives’, this has been at the forefront of working with Harpenden Mencap to achieve immediate but different outcomes whilst the future offer is considered for the site known as Stairways is reviewed.
Partnership working with Harpenden Mencap, Adult Disability and Brokerage teams has enabled all to share the same vision to enable people to build supportive networks in their own communities and live fulfilling lives with support they require to do this. This has allowed for people to remain living locally and being supported by local people, allowing maximum independence and maintaining relationships that are important to them.
CCDA has seen commitment, innovation, and flexibility throughout this work. This has included effective use of technology, re modelling of outdated service models and buildings and moving forward the aim is that this is built upon and expanded.
This programme has led to a reduced number of people being supported in residential care; development of a wider range of accommodation options with the current supported living offer; and an increase in the use of Direct Payments and choice as to how care needs are met.
Photo: Harpenden Mencap tenants George, Niall and Rebecca at their new home.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.