Over the years discussion groups within Chainreaction have highlighted concerns relating to the many issues of moving away from home and living independently particularly when you are disabled. Many in the group felt that they were defeated by too many imponderables and just gave up on the idea. As the Centre developed it became possible to address these issues in a way that the participants felt was helpful.

By renting a flat from the Shaftesbury Housing Association in Alton for six months the Centre enabled four young people to gain their first real experience of living independently with no strings attached and where success or failure were equally acceptable. It was such a positive experience for all involved that the Centre wished to pursue the idea further.

We have since negotiated with Le Court, the local Cheshire Home, to lease from them a purpose-built bungalow in Kingsley. We are able to offer disabled people periods of up to twelve weeks living independently in the village. Naturally they are able to use the facilities at the Centre when they wish and receive support from the staff at all times. The essential point of this experience is not necessarily to learn to cook, clean or iron, but rather to find out what it is like to be on your own for long periods, how to structure your day, how to ask for help and whether the whole idea is too much to undertake just yet!

We experience take-up from a mixed range of abilities and therefore care packages vary greatly. Financial support for care where participants are in the high needs category is usually forthcoming but for those with lesser needs, but who need care support certainly in the first weeks, funding is difficult. We wish to offer the same chance to all applicants and so we seek funds to underwrite the care support where statutory funding is not available.

Great interest has been shown by Housing Associations and our local Housing Department who all find great difficulty at present in assessing housing needs for young people with disabilities as few come forward. Our scheme gives these young people the opportunity and confidence to approach these bodies making an informed and realistic choice to live independently which up until now they have felt unable to do.

If you are interested in the Project please contact Helen Dayson at the Kingsley Centre, via the Contact Us link below.