McCausland and Poots open Trinity Housing’s new residential facility for people with learning disabilities

The £3.3m Ralphs Close scheme provides purpose built accommodation for 16 Western Trust patients who previously lived in Mourne House, Stradreagh Hospital.  The closure of Mourne House brought an end to the many years of care of people with a learning disability within Stradreagh Hospital.

The award winning facility comprises of four purpose built bungalows each accommodating four residents.  Each of the 16 residents has their own individual bedroom with ensuite bathroom linked to communal kitchen, dining room and sitting room facilities.

At the opening Trinity Housing Association Chairperson Ian Kirkpatrick said:

“I am delighted today to be celebrating the opening our new supported housing scheme in Londonderry, with our colleagues from DHSSPS, DSD and the Western Trust. Ralphs Close will offer quality and modern residential care. I offer my best wishes to the present and future residents and hope they have many happy days in this tremendous new facility.”

The Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA commented:

“This is a magnificent scheme, a world away from the institutional setting that went before. Schemes like this make a huge difference to the daily lives of some of our most vulnerable people. They are a continuation of many years of inter-departmental working to shift away from long stay hospital accommodation to supported living in the community. Ralphs Close provides opportunities for residents to have a more independent lifestyle while still benefitting from continual care and support of dedicated staff.

“My Department is committed to providing quality homes that meet the needs of the community and of the individual.  I look forward to continuing the close working relationship with Minister Poots and the health and social care sector that has made these transitions possible. I wish residents much happiness and contentment in their new homes.”

Meanwhile the Edwin Poots MLA the Minister for Health, Social Sevices and Public Safety stated:

“This facility is an excellent example of what can be achieved when we work together for the good of our clients. In this case the Western Trust, Trinity Housing Association and the two Departments have combined their resources to allow these residents to live in beautiful surroundings which they can now call their own home.

“Improving services for those with a learning disability has been one of my top priorities since I became Minister for Health.  And it continues to be so. I remain fully committed to helping people with learning disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community. Facilities such as these at Ralphs Close which ensure that clients are at the forefront in the design and developments of the service are very much in keeping with my Departments policies. I congratulate all involved in what they have achieved here and wish all of them every success for the future.”

When asked for his thoughts the Chair of the Western Trust, Gerard Guckian, said:

“The opening of Ralphs Close has ensured that the Western Trust achieved its target in the resettlement of residents from long stay learning disability hospitals.More importantly it provides 16 adults with a place they can now call their own home; a home in a beautiful secure setting enhancing many aspects of their lives.  Western Trust staff, in collaboration with Trinity staff, will work to support the individual needs of each resident and ensure their integration into community life. This is a real success story for resettlement in the West and the Trust is delighted with the opportunities it now provides in this area.”

To date the Ralphs Close scheme has had success on two fronts; it was successful in winning the:

• NI Housing Council's Jim Speers Award (October 2011) and
• Collaborative Working Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing Awards (February 2012).

Ralphs Close is registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and as such complies with the Residential Regulations and Minimum Standards.

Note to editors:

1. Trinity Housing manages some 2,000 homes for rent throughout Northern Ireland.
2. This 16 unit scheme cost £3.3 million, including land, construction and associated on   costs. The Department for Social Development funded £2.7 million in grant through the Housing Executive and Trinity Housing funded £0.6 million through private financing.

Trinity Housing Ltd
Maple House, Beechill Business Park, 96 Beechill Road, Belfast, BT8 7QN
Tel 028 9069 0250    Fax 028 9069 0251