The scheme provides accommodation, care and support to frail and older people and can house up to 36 residents in 26 cottages. The cottages are designed to enable those with complex care and support needs to maintain their independence and keep links with the community.
On officially opening the cottages the Minister said: “Older people have the right to expect good quality care in an appropriate setting. They have told us they want to live independently and safely in their own homes for as long as possible. This scheme is about delivering on that legitimate aspiration. Traditional institutional models of care can no longer meet all the needs of older people in the 21st century.
“In Northern Ireland we have a proud record of supporting people at home. For many years we were the only part of the UK that provided personal care free of charge at home. We want to build on that record and ensure that our older people have the support they need to live independently with dignity and respect.
“Housing with Care schemes have a clear focus on promoting quality of life, providing real choice for people with care needs and encouraging independence, autonomy and social inclusion within the community.”
Barn Halt has been developed in partnership between the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Fold Housing Association and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and has been funded by the Department for Social Development's Capital Build Programme.
Jim Stewart, Chairman of the Northern Trust, said, "We hope Barn Halt will be the first of many such developments that will enable people to live at home in an environment that is flexible enough to adapt to an individual's changing needs and with care and support services that focus on promoting independence rather than creating dependence."
John McLean, Chief Executive of FoldHousing Association, expressed his delight that Fold have been able to work in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Supporting People in such an innovative and creative project which is paving the way in the supported housing field. He said: "Barn Halt Cottages affords older people the opportunity to retain their independence in a supportive environment. Tenants can feel confident in the knowledge that flexible and responsive care and support services, backed up by Fold’s TeleCare, are available to them when required."
Eligible applicants were identified from the Housing Executive's Common Selection Scheme and selected by a multi-agency referrals panel.
The Chairman of the Housing Executive, Brian Rowntree said:
“The cottages show just what can be achieved by working together and I want to thank all those who have worked hard to bring them to this stage. We all know how important it is to have a warm and comfortable home where we feel safe. But older people have complex needs and often housing, on its own, is not enough. Barn Halt Cottages has the vital ingredients of good quality housing and good quality care and support to make it a valuable asset for the people who live there. For its part, the Housing Executive will be providing £236,000 this year to help meet the needs of older people in the Carrickfergus area."
Notes to Editors:
1.The supporting people programme, run by NIHE, is a UK-wide reform which was introduced in Northern Ireland in April 2003. The principle aim is to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people and maximise their independence.
2.Specialist housing services for older people need to be developed around four main areas:
Information and advice
Community alarms and assistive technology
Adaptations and equipment
Affordable warmth
3.The access criteria for the Barn Halt scheme targets people with complex needs (assessed care and support needs, eg assistance with personal care/household functions), and those who require more help and support than that available in, for example, sheltered accommodation. The residents have a range of conditions, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmenary Disease (COPD), diabetes, circulatory problems, coronary conditions, mild to moderate dementia, learning and physical disabilities and age related frailty. Tenants receive personal care as appropriate and support workers are available to promote independence and to help individuals to maintain their own tenancies and keep links with the community.
4.Support staff are available on site from 7.30am until 10pm, when the tenants have access to a TeleCare support system. There are 11 support workers and one domestic support worker on the complex.
5.Media enquiries to Jenny Magill at the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575 or on 07833 668748.
6.Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
