New ‘home-from-home’ supported living service

A new supported living service for women with learning disabilities and mental health needs - Fairway - has opened on Rochdale Road, Middleton.

The six-bed newly-refurbished property with a large garden includes a self-contained one-bedroom flat.

Run by care provider the Regard Group, Fairway is home to six women who have transitioned from long-term hospital or residential care.

Simon Buxton, Regard locality manager, said: “There is an enormous need for this type of accommodation in the area.

“We are offering the chance for individuals to live independent lives while having access to the relevant level of support they need.

“The women are being supported proactively to develop personalised coping strategies. This not only develops their skills in the practical elements of daily living, such as budgeting, but also enables them to manage the emotional and psychological impact of community living - especially important due to the many years they have spent in long-stay hospitals or other institutions.

“Everyone is settling in brilliantly. We are beginning to see friendships forming and the women bonding as a group. They enjoy planning menus and sitting down together to watch TV.

“They go out shopping supported by a member of staff and buy what they need for their meals or things for their rooms.”

The team at Fairway provides person-centred support plans which include details of how to assist individuals to maintain their independence.

It is the second new service for Regard in the Rochdale area, following on from Canal View which opened last spring and supports six adult males with learning difficulties, autism and/or mental health needs.

Regard is the UK’s fourth largest private organisation providing supported living and residential services for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and acquired brain injury, caring for more than 1,300 people, with a dedicated staff of over 2,600 people working at 161 locations throughout the UK.