Building starts on supported housing at Todlaw
Thursday, November 23 2006
Building work is starting on a new supported housing development for disabled people at Todlaw in Duns.
Building starts on supported housing at Todlaw
Building work is starting on a new supported housing development for disabled people at Todlaw in Duns.
The new facility, planned by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and NHS Borders in conjunction with Berwickshire Housing Association, has substantial funding from Communities Scotland and is due to open in September 2007. It will provide 24-hour, community-based care and nursing to 14 residents of Marchmont House. Community Integrated Care (CIC) was identified last month to provide the care at Todlaw, funded by SBC and NHS Borders.
All organisations, including Sue Ryder Care, who provides the service at Marchmont, will be working together toward the move.
Each tenant will have his or her own specially built, one-bedroomed or two-bedroomed house, with kitchen, living room and individually adapted bathroom. The houses will offer privacy and independence with the reassurance of 24-hour care.
There will be a shared area for people to eat or socialise together if they wish, plus office space for staff. Todlaw is close to shops and other facilities in Duns, giving residents the opportunity to participate more easily in community life.
Colin Young, Projects Co-ordinator of Berwickshire Housing Association, said, “We aim to deliver an architectural solution which will be striking in its scale, aesthetics and functionality. Everything has been designed to comply with the pleasure and comfort of the new residents, plus a fit-for-purpose design necessary for day-to-day management by the care provider, CIC.”
At the request of a local carers’ group, following a local survey of need, the development will include a three-bedroomed short-breaks house to provide respite care for people with a disability or progressive illness who are cared for by family or friends.
Todlaw’s future residents have contributed to the design of the site, and were instrumental in the development of the shared building. The plans, brought together by project architect Oliver Chapman, reflect the experience of occupational therapists, nurses and other professional staff at SBC and NHS Borders.
SBC Social Work Portfolio Holder Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Carre, explained, “An enormous amount of planning has gone into this new development. It represents a revolutionary move away from the old-fashioned view that severely disabled people can only live in special institutions. The level of detail is staggering. Each bathroom will have a track and hoist to help tenants use the bath or shower; the houses and grounds are carefully designed for wheelchairs; and each house uses assistive technology, for example to help residents open doors for themselves or call for assistance if necessary. The whole idea is to give tenants as much independence and choice, plus expert care, as possible.”
Tony Taylor, Chairman of Borders NHS Board, said, “This new facility will allow some very vulnerable people to maintain an independent life and be part of the community, too. The inclusion of a respite facility will be a significant resource for the people of Berwickshire which we welcome.
“We look forward to working with Sue Ryder and CIC as well as our colleagues in Social Work and Berwickshire Housing Association, to achieve as smooth a transition as possible for those transferring from the Sue Ryder Care Home at Marchmont.”
SBC Director of Social Work, Andrew Lowe, added, “When I visited the residents at Marchmont in April, there was an air of anticipation about this exciting new venture, although it still seemed a long way off. Now we have builders on site, and the day is drawing nearer when these people will take their place in the community of Duns.”
Notes to the Editor
The attached photo shows, left to right, SBC Cllrs Sandy Scott and Carolyn Riddell-Carre (Joint Portfolio Holders for Social Work); Susan Henderson, SBC Social Work Adult Planning Manager; Colin Young, Projects Co-ordinator, Berwickshire Housing Association.
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