SOME of Grimsby’s most vulnerable adults have been handed their best chance at independent living thanks to new state-of-the-art assisted living flats. Adults living with physical or mental disabilities who have for most of their lives relied upon living with a parent or carer, have now been given a shot at “exploring new experiences” by living on their own. In a venture backed by the North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who have worked in partnership with Homelife Supported Accommodation, a specialist developer of health and social care schemes, and Inclusion Housing, a social enterprise and registered housing provider, a Grimsby apartment block has been transformed with special adaptions.
Twelve flats in Eleanor Apartments, in Eleanor Street, Grimsby, have been refurbished and now include features like enhanced wheelchair accessibility, lowered kitchen worktops, widened doors, heightened security, as well as a shared communal area, with the hope of providing a safe environment for vulnerable adults to develop their independence.
More: Council plan to buy homes and rent them out – and potentially offer mortgages1
Tenants first moved into the new flats in May, but the official ribbon cutting took place earlier this week. CCG chair, Mark Webb, was on hand to lead the ceremony, and described the flats as ideal for people who “don’t want to be stuck in a dark room in an institution. He said: “Independent living is the answer. The balance between living alone alongside that social aspect is immensely important. It is a beacon.
“I’m hopeful the CCG can continue to support work like this and I would like to thank them for commissioning it.”
WINNING SMILES: Tenants who won a competition to design the invitations to the opening are presented their awards, from left, Rebecca Baker presented by Amanda Bratton from Inclusion Housing, and Sharon Dundon from Care4all presenting to Lewis Ganson.
Angie Dyson, service lead disability and mental health for the CCG, added: “The development of these apartments allows people to develop important skills and live independently with the right amount of support by using their personal budget.
“The environment and architecture of the development is geared up to supporting tenants to carry out daily tasks themselves and mix with their peers by sharing budgets and maximising support available.”
The CCG will continue to work alongside Care4all and Navigo Extra to provide ongoing support and assistance to the dozen tenants. Councillor Jane Hyldon-King, North East Lincolnshire Council’s portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, says that it is her priority to ensure as many vulnerable people in our region are given a similar opportunity as possible. She said: “Independence is vital and to get that opportunity to survive on your own is a wonderful experience for someone to have.
“I’m so pleased that the flats have opened.
It’s a tremendous partnership that will continue to grow.”
More: First resident at new retirement complex in Cleethorpes cuts the ribbon2
This is the third apartment scheme delivered between the CCG and Inclusion Housing for the benefit of vulnerable adults in North East Lincolnshire. One of those adults who has benefited is 21-year-old Lewis Ganson, who moved out of his parent’s home and into one of the new flats around two months ago. He said: “I’ve made lots of friends here already. I do a lot more for myself now instead of depending on my parents.
“The flat is lovely and has made a big difference to my life. I very much prefer it.”
Steven Jones, 54, who moved into one of the flats in May, added: “It’s gorgeous.
I think they’re really nice and gives me freedom.
“I love living on my own.
It’s very important to me.”
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter45
References
- ^ Council plan to buy homes and rent them out – and potentially offer mortgages (www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ First resident at new retirement complex in Cleethorpes cuts the ribbon (www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ More of today’s Grimsby news (www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Twitter (twitter.com)