Fochabers housing initiative transforms lives
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A GROUP of men with learning disabilities have described a new Fochabers housing initiative as life-changing.
Up until last April, Philip Gillies, Dylan Enwood, Willie Farmer and Iain McKenzie lived at the Castlehill House residential home.
When the local authority recognised it was no longer fit for purpose, they began exploring alternatives with Castlehill’s service provider, Community Integrated Care (CIC).
That is when a partnership involving Osprey Housing Moray was formed which led to the men moving into their own self-contained flats within Osprey’s Castle Avenue development.
Mr Gillies said: "When I moved in, it felt like I had moved out of my parents’ house for the first time at 60 years old.
"It was so exciting – the best thing that could have happened to me."
Having settled in Fochabers in 2011, Mr Gillies works in a charity shop one day a week as well as attending various clubs and going to church on Sunday.
He said: "I feel more relaxed now, better in myself and more confident to try new things. It’s lovely to have a beautiful flat I can call home, and not to have to sit with people I don’t get on with or hear them shouting when they have a bad day. I have my own space and time to think. Moving here has changed my life for the better."
For Mr Farmer (44), little things like washing his own dishes and hanging out the washing are giving him a sense of pride.
Since moving into his Castle Avenue flat, he has overcome his fear of flying and flew to Stornoway for a holiday. He also now has his own car and is learning to play the violin.
Aimee Borzoni, commissioning officer for Health and Social Care Moray, said: "Through the council’s housing department, we knew Osprey were building in Fochabers, so we approached them to explore working in partnership to provide a solution in line with our health and social care policy of integration into the community of people with particular needs."
Osprey integrated the flats into the £1.23 million Castle Avenue development – built by Morlich Homes – which also includes four three-bed semi-detached and four four-bed detached family houses.
Services manager Stacy Angus said: "We have developed several similar supported units in Aberdeenshire and were able to draw on that experience when forming this partnership, the first of its kind in Moray.
"These tenants were at risk of being moved out with Fochabers and the area they knew. Being able to facilitate them staying in their local area through this partnership is invaluable for helping to build sustainable and inclusive communities."
The men are now Osprey tenants while enjoying on-site access to CIC’s local support team thanks to the use of Telecare technology.
Service leader for CIC, Emma Horne, said: "This support model is new to CIC and it’s incredible to see the difference in these men — they are thriving.
"They have a greater sense of independence and choice and are developing a wealth of the life skills most of us take for granted, such as preparing and cooking their own meals and hanging out their washing."
