Launch of Ellis Grove supported living accommodation for adults with learning disabilties

A new housing scheme providing accommodation, care and support to adults with learning disabilities has just been opened in Carrickfergus. 

This scheme is an innovative form of supported housing developed in partnership with the Northern Trust, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Oaklee Housing Association and Mencap Carrickfergus.

Ellis Grove will house up to 18 people in single-level accommodation that has been designed to specifically meet their needs.  The bungalows range from single bedroom to three bedrooms and they provide support in a safe environment for people with a range of disabilities.

Oscar Donnelly, Director Mental Health and Learning Disabilites in the Northern Trust said,

“Ellis Grove provides people with the opportunity to live safely, securely and independently, but will allow us to provide the care and support that people need to live on their own.  This will be delivered in a way that allows the tenants to increase or decrease that support as their circumstances change.  It is about providing specific services to fit individual needs.

"We hope this will be one of many such developments in the Northern Trust.  Ellis Grove will enable people to live at home in an environment that is flexible enough to adapt to an individual’s changing needs but provides the support to promote independence rather than creating dependence”.

The project was funded by NIHE Supporting People.  The Supporting People programme currently funds a range of services which provide housing-related support to vulnerable people to improve their quality of life and promote independence.

The scheme was designed by Alan Cook Architects and constructed by Dixons.

Jim Stewart, Chairman, Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Lyn Allsopp, guest at the launch, Margaret Liggett, daughter of local Mencap member Madge Wright MBE; Ian Elliott, Chief Executive, Oaklee Housing Association and Ivan Crowe, Mencap whom at the official opening of Ellis Grove.

Page last updated:19 March 2010