New house is first step to independence
Six adults with learning disabilities, using a newly refurbished house in Camp Hill, Nuneaton, are taking their first steps towards independence.
The house is part of a project to encourage and support people with learning disabilities to develop life skills and promote independence in a home and community setting. People are supported to keep their environment clean, cook their own lunch and to travel independently to access the community for work opportunities, use local leisure facilities and do their shopping.
“Other people use the house as a drop in to work on specific skills”, explained Marie Lewis, who coordinates the project, and believes it is a vital step for people to develop independent living skills in a safe and supportive environment.
“We started in October 2004 when we moved into a house in Cedar Road, Nuneaton. We knew this was just temporary and since then we have moved a couple of times. That’s why it’s fantastic to get a more permanent house that is fully equipped and refurbished.” said Marie.
Anne Harper, who uses the service said: “I like being in the house and helping with the cleaning. I’ve learned to use the bus and travel to my voluntary job on my own.”
Julie Sutch, manager of Warwickshire County Council’s Nuneaton Community Support Services, who is responsible for the project, said: “The house and the independence it brings are all about enabling people to live ‘ordinary lives’.”