THE first tenants have moved into a new housing development in Stevenston that promotes independent living for North Ayrshire residents with disabilities.
Caley Gardens consists of 12 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom homes on the site of the former Caley Court sheltered housing complex.
The £3 million development, which was supported by £1m Scottish Government grant funding, is the latest supported living accommodation to be completed by North Ayrshire Council and the area's health and social care partnership (HSCP) to provide homes for people with physical and learning disabilities and/or mental illnesses.
A number of similar supported living developments have already opened over the past few years, including in Dalry, Kilwinning, Irvine and Largs.
Each home is equipped so that assistive technology can be installed to suit the needs of each individual resident, helping to provide support in a way that promotes independence as well as reducing risk.
In addition, 24-hour responsive support is being provided by third sector partner Key, who have been providing personalised support in the area for almost 30 years.
Councillor Margaret Johnson, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first residents to Caley Gardens, and hope they will be very happy in their new homes.
“This new accommodation will allow individuals to live as independently as possible and live life to the full within our communities, with the assurance of having assistance on hand when required.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Key, an organisation that has been shaped by the lived experience of families and people with disabilities.”
Allison Wright, who oversees Key’s supports across Ayrshire, added: “Everyone involved with the project has worked so hard over the past few months to get Caley Gardens ready to welcome its very first tenants.
"It has been a privilege for Key to play our part in this; working with individuals, families and HSCP colleagues in planning the transition to a new home while getting to know people and finding out how we can support them to live the life they choose.
“We continue to prepare for, and support, more tenants to get the keys to their new front door while maintaining close partnership working to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for people to settle in to living at Caley Gardens.”
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