SPECIALIST HOUSING SCHEME GETS UNDERWAY

Broadacres has started work on a state of the art £2.3 million project to provide specialist homes for people with complex needs in North Yorkshire.

Working with our partners, Broadacres is building seven two-bedroom bungalows in Brough St Giles, near Catterick.

Six of the bungalows will be let to people with complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities, with the other being used by the staff working there. The staff of Stokesley-based Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS) will provide 24-hour-a-day care and support to the residents.

The ECHO (Enhanced Community Home Options) project is being supported by NHS England, which is providing a grant of £1.89 million towards the cost of the scheme, as well as Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

The sustainable homes, which are being built for Broadacres by Hartforth Homes, are being constructed to the AECB Standard using Passivhaus construction principles.

The homes have been designed and constructed with materials and technology which allows them to use very little energy, meaning a very low running cost to the resident. The bespoke design means it has been possible to ‘design out’ the possible triggers for people with autism, so for example, maintenance of services can be undertaken externally reducing the requirement for access into the home and because of the increased insulation, it reduces noises within the home from the external environment.

Gail Teasdale, Broadacres’ Chief Executive, said: “The ECHO scheme compliments the national service model of Building the Right Support, which is all about improving health and care services so that more people with learning disabilities and/or autism can live in the community, with the right support, and close to family and friends. This means that fewer people will need to stay in hospital for their care.

“Broadacres has a proven track record of delivering schemes of this nature and working with, residents with learning disabilities, mental health and complex needs, so we’re excited to be working with our partners to provide these homes for local people.”

Paul Newton, Managing Director of Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS), said: “We welcome this unique partnership approach which has brought the expertise and experience to design bespoke bungalows that will transform the lives of the individuals who take up the tenancies.”

Philippa Hughes, Housing Senior Manager for the NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Learning Disability and Autism Programme in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “We know how transformative the right home environment can be for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions, so it is fantastic to see such an innovative housing solution being delivered in North Yorkshire through great partnership working.”

Michelle Hagger, Senior Mental Health & Learning Disability Partnership Manager from NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It is wonderful to see the needs of people with autism and learning disabilities reflected in every detail of this development and we’re pleased to have played our part in bringing this project to fruition.”

Leader of Richmondshire District Council, Councillor Angie Dale said: “We are delighted to see work starting on this project which will be a valuable asset for the residents of Richmondshire – allowing people with learning disabilities or autism to remain living in the community near their family support network.”

The start of work on the ECHO scheme coincides with Learning Disability Week, which runs from 14^th to 20^th June.