Former residents of Occombe House are now enjoying new found independence in their brand new supported living bungalows at the Occombe House site. Residents have been living at the bungalows since June 2015 and today they celebrated their new living arrangements.
Mary Maclachlan, carer and parent of one of the residents: “The bungalows are beautiful and our relatives are settling into their new life with the help of dedicated staff. Being able to stay together has led to the positive outcome we had all hoped for.”
The official opening
The two new four bedroom bungalows were designed in conjunction with parents and carers and have been designed in accordance with the latest disability guidelines, meaning residents live in purpose built, modern facilities. The bungalows have provided residents with their own personal space including en-suite facilities and there is now communal living and cooking areas. The buildings are owned and run by Sandwell Community Caring Trust (SCCT) but the residents now lease them like any other resident would, giving them much more choice and control over their home.
Torbay’s Mayor, Gordon Oliver, said: “I have been a firm supporter of this project from the beginning and so I am pleased that this purpose built supported living accommodation has been completed and that Occombe residents have moved in. I hope they will continue to enjoy high level, quality care in a modern environment for many years to come. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their support and hard work on this worthwhile project.”
Dr Sonja Manton, Associate Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is an absolute joy to see the former residents of Occombe House settled and well in their new bungalows.
“This project has been a long time in the making but our aspiration was always for the residents to live in a building that can truly meet their needs and facilitate a life that is as independent as possible.
“We wish the residents all the best for their future in their new homes.”
Geoff Walker, Chief Executive at Sandwell Community Caring Trust, said:“As a charity we are pleased to have played a part in providing new purpose built accommodation for the former residents of Occombe House. The properties have met everybody’s expectations and we now look forward to carrying on the partnership working with families and the Mayor to fully develop the site as a centre of excellence in Torbay.”
Celebrating in the communal area of the new bungalows
Occombe House is owned by Torbay Council and was run on behalf of the Council by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. Back in 2010 the Trust started working with residents and carers to look at ways in which they could enable residents to live more independentlyand in purpose built surroundings. Although the Occombe residents had lived at the house for many years the building was no longer fit for purpose or able to fully meet peoples care needs. The new supported living bungalows are now run by SCCT and round the clock care is provided to the residents, who all have complex care needs.
