Thanks to the new Windermere Supported Living Service in Lisburn, 8 long-term patients of Muckamore Abbey Hospital - all with a severe learning disability - have new homes, lives and opportunities.
This is an exciting development.
It has totally transformed the lives of people who have lived away from the world, in institutions, for many years. It shows how people with a severe learning disability can live constructive lives in local communities. And it is a great example of partnership working.
The Windermere Service is a partnership between Positive Futures, Triangle Housing Association, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Supporting People Team with funding from the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety and the Department for Social Development.
It was officially opened at the ‘Our New Lives’ event at the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn on 6th May 2009. The celebration was addressed by Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie, MLA and Dr Maura Briscoe, Director of Mental Health & Disability Policy, DHSS&PS (representing Michael McGimpsey MLA, Minister for Health).
People attending the event also heard from Jonny Walsh- who lives in the Windermere Service - and his family. They spoke about Jonny’s life and how it has changed with support from Positive Futures.
Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures said, ‘Services like Windermere bring the recommendations of the Bamford Review to life. The Review stated that people with a learning disability should live in the community and have the opportunity to live the ‘ordinary lives’ that most of us take for granted. That’s exactly what supported living services, like Windermere, do.’
The Windermere Service provides homes for 10 people. It opened in September 2008, supporting 8 people. Unfortunately, one of these people enjoyed only a short time in his new home before he passed away and ‘Our New Lives’ also celebrated and commemorated Peter’s life.
