Helm cut the Sod for Complex Needs Home
A sod-cutting ceremony took place recently at Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald, to mark the start of a purpose built complex needs house for a local East Belfast family.
Pictured right are members of the Pollock family who joined staff from Helm Housing Association and local elected representative, Jim Shannon MP, for the special occasion.
Explaining the background to the project, David Moore, Chairman, Helm Housing Association said:
“The development at Grahamsbridge Road will become a home for Mark and Jamie Pollock, and their four children.
“The six person, four bedroom house is being built to accommodate the complex needs of the family. Mark and Jamie's daughter, Jamie Lee (10), suffers from a rare disorder and the property has been designed with a range of innovative features that will make it a welcoming environment for anyone with a disability. We have sought to ensure it blends in with the surrounding properties, whilst meeting secure by design standards.”
Welcoming the first stage of the construction process Mark Pollock (pictured above with his wife Jamie and children: Jamie Lee, Kane (4); Zac (2); and Ollie (9 months old), Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford and David Moore, Chairman, Helm Housing) said:
“I am really thrilled that work is starting on the house, in fact I’m totally over the moon. The house will completely transform day to day life, and it will really help Jamie Lee and the rest of the family. It will provide us with much needed extra space which will help to improve Jamie Lee’s quality of life.
“Helm Housing and the architects have been very thorough in terms of ensuring that the design will be fit for purpose and I would like to thank them for the time and effort that they have invested to date.”
Commenting on the development of the purpose built house, Jim Shannon MP for Strangford, who performed the sod cutting ceremony, added:
“It is extremely encouraging to be present here today to mark the start of this project. I’ve been working closely with Helm Housing and the Pollock family to help ensure that the relevant planning and statutory requirements were met to allow the scheme to progress. Providing accommodation that meets complex needs and allows a family to interact cohesively together is very important. Once complete this house will allow the Pollock family to do just that.”
Funding for the Grahamsbridge Road home has come from Helm Housing, Department for Social Development and Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
It is anticipated that the construction process will take approximately nine months.
Helm Housing (www.helmhousing.org) manages in excess of 5,000 properties throughout Northern Ireland, providing tenants with affordable and high quality service and accommodation.
ENDS//
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