School Close, our state-of-the-art care service, officially opens

On Thursday 8th December, our award-winning charity officially opened School Close, a state-of-the-art care service for adults with learning disabilities.

School Close is a brand new specialist care service in the heart of Kirkcudbright that offers tenants a homely and accessible living environment. By using both leading architectural approaches and assistive technologies, it promotes a more independent way of living for its tenants.

The home supports 13 people, who had previously lived together in shared accommodation in a traditional learning disability care home setting. The tenants now enjoy living in their own purpose-built modern apartments.

School Close was developed in partnership with Loreburn Housing Association and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

The event brought together the people supported at School Close, their families, members of the local community and key housing and social care partners who helped develop and support the opening of the new service.

Ruth McIntyre, Community Integrated Care’s Head of Service for South Scotland, formally opened the evening. She was joined by Lorna MacDowell from Loreburn Housing Association and Councillor Craig Peacock, Chairperson of the Council’s Housing Sub Committee. Family member, Mary McMorran, closed the official speeches saying how happy and proud she was to see her brother flourishing in his new home.

Guests toured the complex, finding out how the modern approaches to support and leading assistive technology solutions have transformed the lives of each of the tenants.

Heather Birnie, Service Leader of School Close, says: “It was wonderful to see the people we support and our friends and partners from across Dumfries and Galloway come together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The people we support are absolutely thriving in their new homes and it’s been fantastic to see them enjoying their independence.

Heather continues: “I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us on this incredible journey. It has been completely life-changing for the people we support.”

Ruth McIntyre, Head of Service for South Scotland at Community Integrated Care, says: “Today we were delighted to celebrate an incredible care service. School Close stands as one of our charity’s proudest achievements. It’s taken two years to plan and develop and the people we support have been involved every step of the way.

Ruth continues: “I’d like to thank our amazing families and partners, Loreburn Housing Association and Dumfries and Galloway Council, for all their support, passion and vision in making School Close the success it is.”

Lorna MacDowell, Project Manager for Loreburn Housing Association said: “In working in partnership with Community Integrated Care and Dumfries and Galloway Council, we have been able to create purpose built flats and new homes bespoke for the local residents. We were all involved in the design and construction stages of the project, and the tenants moving in also had the opportunity to choose the finish of their own flat.”

Councillor Craig Peacock, Chairperson of the Council’s Housing Sub Committee said: “The Council is delighted to have supported the delivery of such an innovative project through the Strategic Housing Investment Plan. This new development will help support people to live in their local community for as long as possible. We have a strong track record of working in partnership with Loreburn Housing Association to help meet a wide range of housing needs. Community Integrated Care is a highly regarded care provider that will offer a very person centred approach to improving the quality of lives of their clients and the people of Dumfries and Galloway.”