Today we welcomed Nigel Chambers; Department of Health, Learning Disability Team, Mark McGuicken, Director of Disability and Older People, Siobhan Rogan, Assistant Director of Nursing at Public Health Agency and Leslie-Anne Newton, ARC NI Director to The Mews, Living Options.

During the visit Elaine Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), explained how Cedar supports individuals and families living with disability, autism, and brain injury to live the lives they choose. The team explained how The Mews consists of 12 single occupancy apartments and cares for and supports individuals with learning disabilities, Autism and/or complex needs and provides 24hr care and support. 

The visit provided a unique opportunity for residents Christopher and Luke to illustrate how Cedar’s Living Options support people to be fully included in their communities. 

Christopher a Service User who resides in The Mews said:

“The Mews is like a family and a home to me. I get to come and go as I like, get to do activities that I enjoy, and staff are good to me. Staff support and teach me to be able to do things on my own, for example help me with cooking skills and also help with attending a work force skill group each Tuesday to help and support me to look for employment. I enjoy days where all the staff and service users come together and have a great time and lots of laughs such as when we did the end of summer party and Euros football nights I have also got to attend a lot of social events within the community such as attending many Belfast Giants games and getting a season ticket and also going over to Scotland for a holiday including attending football matches with staff support”.

Luke described that he has been living at The Mews for two years. He said:

“Staff are really good to me; I like the freedom and independence The Mews provides me with. I have been able to attend one to one training with a personal trainer. He has helped me with diet and nutrition. I got to attend local concerts with the support of staff to my favourite bands like Ben Nicky and The Killers which I really enjoyed.”

Both service users welcomed guests into their apartments. Guests learned that the décor of the interior space and exterior spaces were chosen by the individuals to suit their own style.

        

Kelly Devlin, Director of Operations at Living Options at Cedar said “The Mews provides our services users with opportunity, choice and inclusion. They are able to live independently with support in their own homes, can connect and engage in their local communities and participate in meaningful activities of their choosing. Service Users have their own key to their own front door. Central to our success has been our partnership approach to ensure that all of the needs of our service users are met”.

Reflecting on the visit Elaine Armstrong, CEO, said: