Two new purpose-built homes designed for women with intellectual disabilities will today be officially opened in Sydney’s Ryde area by Seton Villa, a work of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
The homes have a clear focus: providing residents with greater quality of life, independence, choice and control. They are part of an $11 million investment plan by Seton Villa, which was founded by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
Over the next three years, Seton Villa will build another five custom-designed homes in line with “Specialist Disability Accommodation Improved Liveability” design standards.
“This year marks 55 years since the first residence was opened – and Seton Villa was a trailblazer when it deinstitutionalised disability care and opened its first shared-homes in 1984. It enabled residents to live in a community setting, while qualified staff provided active support towards their greater independence,” said Seton Villa chief Peter Gardiner.
The first of the new homes – Jenny’s Place, a four-bedroom home in Marsfield, and Rosalie’s Place, a five-bedroom home (which incorporates a semi-independent two-bedroom “apartment” under the same roofline) in Ryde – feature specially designed bathrooms and kitchens with ergonomic features, and smart technology. The residents were involved in elements of the design including their own furnishings and choosing the paint colour for their rooms.
Glenys Robinson, whose daughters Melissa and Carmel are sharing Rosalie’s Place – living together for the first time in 18 years – says it “gives them a sense of pride together”.
“Carmel and Melissa are very happy to be together at this stage of their lives. It certainly lifts their spirits,” Ms Robinson said. “It’s [also] about the sense of security of knowing the girls have their own place.”
FULL STORY
Seton Villa officially opens first of its purpose built Specialist Disability Accommodation homes (Seton Villa/Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul)
Source: Cath News 23 Feb 2021
https://cathnews.com/cathnews/40324-new-home-gives-sisters-a-sense-of-pride?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CathNews%20–%20Mass%20For%20You%20At%20Home%20heads%20to%20Wollongong%20%20Christian%20organisations%20back%20post-COVID%20recovery%20%20Independent%20review%20says%20bill%20needs%20further%20consideration&utm_content=CathNews%20–%20Mass%20For%20You%20At%20Home%20heads%20to%20Wollongong%20%20Christian%20organisations%20back%20post-COVID%20recovery%20%20Independent%20review%20says%20bill%20needs%20further%20consideration+CID_335d0047030f8af4fbcfa0a4bdfa727c&utm_source=Cathnews%20Newsletter&utm_term=New%20home%20gives%20sisters%20a%20sense%20of%20pride