New adult supported living scheme opens in Devizes

Three young adults with learning disabilities are settling in well to their new supported living home - having the independence of their own home with support available if needed.

They moved into their new home in Devizes recently and are already settling in well. The scheme is the latest one in Wiltshire and is in response to feedback from people with learning disabilities and their families, sharing how they wanted to live.

Adult social care provider National Care Group worked with Wiltshire Council and Falcon housing to develop the scheme.  

The scheme is part of Wiltshire Council's long-term investment in response to feedback from parent carers and young people when they were asked about needs and any gaps in provision.

Several commented on the need for more accommodation, especially in the communities where they lived. They explained how important it is to young people to choose where they live and not be forced to live in communities they have no connection and with people they don't know.

Devizes is the latest area where we have an opportunity to provide suitable accommodation for people with a learning disability.

The new accommodation and support service is designed to ensure that the three young people National Care Group now support, can create a home for themselves and become part of the local community while still getting the expert support they need. The service has also created several new jobs in the area.

One of the residents, Zack has enhanced his independent living skills and has become the house's dedicated gardener. He is supported to maintain a variety of appointments and interests, including his part-time job at a local garden centre, which he travels to independently each week.

Wiltshire Council also worked with National Care Group to provide a home for people with learning disabilities in Salisbury and Westbury with another due to open soon.

Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Jane Davies, visited the supported living home in Devizes recently. She said: "This is a place they can call home. The young people living here understandably want their independence, to be part of their local community, to enjoy going out and living their life how they want to. This is what they tell us, and I'm so pleased we can provide this home with support if needed. We have other supported living schemes becoming available. We are putting into action the requests we have had, and it aligns with our Business Plan priorities to ensure people are empowered to live full, healthy and enriched lives."

Mike Ranson, Chief Commercial Officer at National Care Group, said: "Our purpose is to ensure people can lead a rich and fulfilling life. The successful partnership working we have established with the team at Wiltshire Council has enabled us to work collaboratively and develop services that will meet an identified local need. Through careful planning, we have worked with housing partners to create services that perfectly match the requirements of the people we will support and enable them to remain in their locality close to family. We look forward to seeing the tenants enjoying their new home and supporting them to become active citizens in their local community."