Craegmoor Service User Takes Important Next Step

Craegmoor Healthcare, who provide support to a range of clients with a wide variety of needs, is today congratulating Melanie Farr, a resident of its Woodpecker Lodge supported living facility, on moving into a flat of her own.

Melanie, who has been receiving support from Craegmoor for over 5 years, will now receive 53 ½ hours of support a week, partly shared, partly one to one, in her new home. Melanie is one of several people supported by Craegmoor who benefiting from the development of the company's supported living services. At Woodpecker Lodge, people who require services from Craegmoor can develop their independent living skills with the aim of living independently in the community when they feel ready.

Melanie now will move into an apartment complex run by her local housing association who have been very keen to work with Craegmoor to provide suitable accommodation for people who wish to be supported by the company within the community rather than in a care home setting. This is an exciting new phase in Melanie’s life and she is looking forward to choosing her furniture and decorating her new home. Melanie is already incredibly active in her local community and has for a number of years held several voluntary positions. These include helping out in a resource centre catering for older people, working in a local bookshop and assisting at functions held by her local cricket club.

With support from Craegmoor and the Learning Disabilities team at Hereford Council Melanie hopes to use this experience to gain paid employment somewhere where she can put her people skills to good use.

Woodpecker lodge manager Anne Fletcher said today:

“I am pleased that Melanie is excited about moving in and l look forward to visiting once she has moved in properly. I’d like to thank the team at Hereford Council for their help and look forward to working with them to ensure more people who use our services are able to live the lives they want within the community.”

Craegmoor’s Chief Executive, Ted Smith, said today:

"Mel is taking an important next step in her life and I am proud that we are able to support her. At Craegmoor, we are committed to providing innovative options for people to live independently in their own homes, and personal choice is always our prime consideration."

For further information please contact the Craegmoor Press Office on:

01905 459 813

• Craegmoor is one of the largest independent providers of specialist support in the UK with a turnover of approximately £170m and employs over 6,500 people.
• It has a portfolio comprising specialist and nursing care homes, mental health hospitals, specialist adult colleges and supported living schemes with over 4,700 beds across 234 homes.
• The wide range of services offered by Craegmoor include:
• Specialist care and support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health illnesses. Nursing and residential care for the elderly. Independent Hospitals.
• Craegmoor has 2229 Specialist beds including 143 beds in three colleges.
• Craegmoor has currently 2242 Older People beds and 237 beds in the company’s Independent Hospitals.
• Working closely with local authorities, Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts, Craegmoor is committed to building partnerships focused on constant service improvements which meet the needs of individual people and which are in line with regulatory requirements and best practice.

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