Supported living plans for L’Islet site
SUPPORTED living facilities are intended to be created on a landlocked site at L’Islet following the submission of a planning application for purpose-built accommodation for 14 adults with learning disabilities.
If accepted, the proposed La Vieille Plage development would significantly improve quality of life for those requiring 24-7 access to care and support, while living in their own one-bedroom flat.
Health & Social Care, Employment & Social Security and the Guernsey Housing Association are working in partnership for this project, following on from the success of specialist autism development Le Vieux Jardin in the Vale in 2019.
‘We are committed to bringing all our residential accommodation up to acceptable modern standards and have taken a creative and collaborative approach to funding this development,’ said HSC president Al Brouard.
‘This is just the type of innovation we need to bring about timely improvements to these people’s lives.’
Adult Disability Services manager Mandy Mackelworth said facilities should reflect the standard of Le Vieux Jardin.
‘The development at Le Vieux Jardin has been a resounding success for those who live there, their families and staff, and we aspire to similar facilities for all those with learning disabilities and/or autism currently living in residential care,’ she said. ‘Developments such as this are all about supporting people to live as independently as possible.’
La Vieille Plage is proposed to have communal areas, outside spaces and a sensory room, enabling socialisation and involvement in therapeutic activities.
‘People will have privacy, choice and care in an environment tailored to meet their physical needs and facilitate individuality,’ Ms Mackelworth added.
‘These are basic needs which most of us take for granted but which are presently limited due to the environment in which people are living.’
Modern equipment needs are no longer compatible with corridor widths and room sizes in the former private homes, an old hospital ward and a converted GP surgery where some of the potential tenants currently live.
Appropriate levels of care such as ceiling track hoists and level access will be available at the proposed development, which would be owned by the GHA and staffed and supported by HSC. The association would receive rental income from service users, funded via their ESS benefits.
Ahead of the planning application being submitted, the GHA wrote to all immediate neighbours of the proposed site to advise of the plans, including vehicle access to the development being through the Sandy Hook estate.
Pending planning permission, the GHA intends to tender for construction in the new year and aims to break ground by September 2022.
