 Azadeh and Drew live in Newcastle and are supported by an innovative service called ‘Concierge Plus’.
Based in an attractively converted townhouse, where residents have their own bedsitting room, bathroom and kitchen, the support provided is all about helping residents develop their independence around tasks like cooking, budgeting and day to day activities.
Concierge Plus has been a huge success story. Here is what Carolyne Power, Supported Living Coordinator at Newcastle City Council has to say: “The Concierge service started in February 2010 and no one could have imagined how successful it would be. This is the result of excellent partnership working by the service providers involved.
The focus of the service was independence and from a social care perspective, community enabling. Within a matter of months, most of the tenants were enrolled on college courses or other meaningful activities, which were largely driven by growing friendships and supported by the service providers.
Providers are often a bit protective of the services they deliver, but at Concierge, collaborative working has been at the centre of the process. This hadn’t been tried in Newcastle before and presented a learning curve for all involved. We were surprised and delighted by the ease with which everyone took on their new roles.
Building on this initiative, we’re now planning to continue working with Lifeways on the opening of a second, larger scale, Concierge service in Newcastle. The best thing about this, is that one of the original tenants has made such progress with independent living, that she’s ideally suited to making the move into the new development - thanks to the support provided by Lifeways and good partnership working.” |
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