Major refurbishment at Hawthorns Adult Centre

Hawthorns Adult Centre, Carrickfergus recently held an opening event to celebrate the facility’s major refurbishment. The work has resulted in greatly improved facilities which help meet the needs of all its service users with a learning disability, particular those with complex health care needs and/or challenging behaviours.

The investment of over £450,000 by the Northern Trust has transformed the building into a bright modern facility. Improvements included the installation of a new heating system, complete rewiring, new windows, fire prevention system and kitchen. Service users and carer representatives played an active role in the project group assisting with design, choosing facilities and colour schemes within the new building. The building has been designed to meet the varied and specialised needs of all its users.

The event was attended by clients, their families and a number of political representatives who were shown around the facility.

Garth Anderson, Head of Day Services said, “We are delighted with this new facility and wish its users every enjoyment in using the day services within it. I would like to pay tribute to the leadership of the staff, the carers and service users of this facility for how they have managed with the disruption of change during the build period and the dedication they continue to give to those who use this service.”

Alderman Billy Ashe, Mayor of Carrickfergus officially opened the Centre and said, “As Mayor of Carrickfergus Borough, I am absolutely delighted to officially open this much improved Hawthorns Adult Centre. Hawthorns Adult Centre provides vital services for over sixty-five people and this major investment by the Northern Trust will undoubtedly improve the experience for all service users and their carers in this bright and stimulating environment. The fact that all users and carers were determined to return to these premises and were involved in the design process was critical to ensuring the success of the overall project. We warmly welcome the injection of funding in this fantastic, refurbished facility. I hope that you all thoroughly enjoy your new centre and well done to all involved!

Hawthorns is one of ten buildings-based adult centre facilities across the Northern Trust which aims to meet the requirements of those with complex needs. As part of modernisation and reform to give service users more opportunities and choice, the Northern Trust also has a range of community based day services for adults with a learning disability.

14th June 2013