Choice opens new £1.3 million residential facility in Magherafelt

A new supported living service by Choice Housing Ireland has officially opened in Magherafelt. Choice are proud to announce the official opening, which took place on Monday, in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Choice have invested £1.3 million on the provision of the purpose built supported living service which includes 14 single occupancy bungalows within walking distance of Magherafelt town. The scheme aims to support people to achieve their maximum level of independence. The residents are individuals who have experienced severe and enduring mental health issues and require a fairly high level of support. Social inclusion and re-integration into the community are key objectives and facilitated by a skilled workforce at the scheme including an Occupational Therapist, a Social Worker and Senior Support Workers working closely with families and carers. The new bungalows are a result of positive inter-departmental collaborative working between Choice, the Department for Social Development (DSD), Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Supporting People team within the Housing Executive. Timothy Quin, Chair of Choice Housing Ireland said: “Choice are delighted to announce the official opening of this newly built housing scheme which was shortlisted at last year’s Chartered Institute of Housing awards for ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’, for its well thought out design and the dwellings being built in a quiet rural setting, yet within walking distance of the town. “Choice have worked in close partnership with a number of other organisation in building new homes for our tenants to live independently within high quality accommodation, in an area that is safe and serene, but still very much part of the community in Magherafelt. “We would like to thank all those involved in setting up this housing project and we wish our tenants every success and happy years ahead in their new homes,” added Mr Quin. Welcoming the new scheme, Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, who was represented at the event by Ian Snowden said: “Church Lane Mews has been purpose built to support residents who have experienced severe and enduring mental health issues, providing them with the support they need to achieve their maximum level of independence. Instead of hospital living, 14 residents now have their own private space behind their own front door. The Department for Social Development is pleased to have been able to support and fund this transition to a better way of living. I wish all the residents well for the future in their new accommodation.”