New service for adults with physical and sensory disability launched

A new specialist floating housing support service for adults has been launched for the Omagh and Fermanagh areas. The service has been developed in partnership by the Housing Executive, the Supporting People Programme, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and Leonard Cheshire Disability to address the specific housing needs of those with physical and sensory disability.

Delivered by Leonard Cheshire Disability, the service is now available in the Tyrone and Fermanagh areas of the Western Health and Social Care Trust. It will provide support and assistance to help those with a physical or sensory disability to live more independent lives. The annual cost of the service is £120k received through the Supporting People Fund which is managed by the Housing Executive.

Speaking at the launch of the new service, our Omagh District Manager Ivan Armstrong said, “I am privileged to participate in today’s launch. The Supporting People Programme has provided opportunity to help vulnerable people throughout Northern Ireland live independently. This floating support housing service will make a huge difference to the lives of people with physical and sensory disability. It is a clear demonstration in real terms of how Supporting People puts the needs of the person at the heart of the support service provision-matching support to individual client needs.”

“This service is an excellent example of what can be achieved through a partnership approach when bodies such as the Housing Executive and Western Trust work together with other service providers such as Leonard Cheshire Disability.”

Western Trust Director of Adult Mental Health and Disability Services, Trevor Millar added, “We are delighted to be involved in the extension of housing support services for adults with physical and sensory disability in the southern sector of the Western Trust Area. This multiagency service development will help people with a physical or sensory disability to develop and maintain independent living within their own communities.”

Tonya McCormac, Director of Operations NI said: “Leonard Cheshire Disability is absolutely delighted to work in partnership with the Housing Executive and Western Trust in delivering this new Floating Support Service in Tyrone and Fermanagh that will support disabled people to live independently in the community.”

Encouraged by the introduction of the new floating housing support service one service user said: “Support has helped me in every way. It helped me to get my motivation to get back into society…the way I used to be.”