New Service Developments

Developing New Services

SeeAbility is willing to explore developing new services with commissioning authorities, groups and individuals in any location in the UK.

New SeeAbility service developments currently in progress include:

• A New Supported Living Service in Bristol
  
  SeeAbility are currently in negotiation to purchase 11 flats in the Knowle West area of South Bristol. This potential service would provide purpose-built accommodation and specialist support for 11 adults with a visual impairment and additional disabilities.
   
  It is likely that the accommodation would be across three floors and and within two buildings, connected with a conservatory and would be fully accessible to individuals who use a wheelchair. Each flat would consist of a bedroom with ensuite shower and toilet facilities, living room and kitchen. There would also be access to a shared lounge and kitchen.The flats will be offered to individuals through a shared ownership scheme with a local Housing Association being the landlord. 
   
  The manager and all staff would undertake a comprehensive training programme in a range of skills to enable them to work with people with multiple disabilities. The service would be registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
   
  We are currently looking at flats which are being built on land in Knowle, South Bristol by Westbury Partnership and have begun to seek the local demand and to gauge the level of interest in this potential service. We would therefore welcome any notifications of early stage interest from individuals, their families or carers and sponsoring authorities. If you wish to express an interest, find out more or get involved in shaping this potential service development, please contact Mark Davis (New Business Manager-South West) via e-mail mdavis@seeability.org or telephone 01823 448 232 or Colin Fletcher (Regional Director - South West) via e-mail at c.fletcher@seeability.org
  
  

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• Accommodation and Support Services - Plymouth (2008-09)
  
  Construction of this new accommodation and support service moves on a pace! ROC building contractors expect to complete the building work in late 2008 with SeeAbility offering an innovative support solution thereafter for people with complex needs and visual impairment.
  
  SeeAbility, in conjunction with Plymouth City Council and Signpost Housing Association submitted a bid to the Housing Corporation in October 2005 to develop an extra-care supported living scheme. The outcome of the bid was made known early in 2006. The bid was approved and building work commenced in late 2007. The scheme will consist of 6 rented and 2 shared ownership apartments in the Plymstock area of Plymouth for people with a visual impairment and additional disabilities and an enabling support service will be provided to these people by SeeAbility.
  
  If you wish to express an interest or find out more about this new service development, please contact Mark Davis (New Business Manager-South West) via e-mail mdavis@seeability.org or telephone 01823 448 232 or Colin Fletcher (Regional Director - South West) via e-mail at c.fletcher@seeability.org
  
  

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• New Opportunities in East Devon
  
  SeeAbility have started the purchase of a new chalet bungalow in Honiton, Devon as an extension of their successful service at Windmill Court, Honiton which has been in operation since 2006.
  
  The new service will offer 3 individuals a tenancy for a bedroom with en suite facilities and shared kitchen and living space as their first steps to independent living. Each person will be supported by SeeAbility trained staff and the service will be covered by our existing CSCI registration for the service at Honiton.
  
  East Devon Social Service comment "that this was an excellent opportunity for a number of people from the local area to gain the experience and move forward in their lives". One prospective tenant said recently: "I like the new house  - just needs some change and I can't wait to move in".
  
  The development now needs some work to make it completely accessible and then the first individuals will move in during June or July this year.
  
  If you would like more information please contact Mark Davis (New Business Manager - South West) via email mdavis@seeability.org or telephone 01823 448232 or Colin Fletcher (Regional Director - South West) via e-mail at c.fletcher@seeability.org
  
  

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• Our Future Plans
  
  SeeAbility is committed to continuous improvement and development.  With help from a wide range of stakeholders we have recently developed our strategic plan for 2008-2013 and within this are looking to work in partnership with others to develop more individualised services available over a wider geographical area.

  Thank you to all those of you who completed a questionnaire or have contributed in some way to our planning. This has enabled us to formulate a challenging plan that we hope will facilitate our ongoing improvement and enable more people to access our specialist services over the next 5 years.

  A summary of our Strategic Plan for 2008-2013 will be soon be available to download on this site.

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• Shared Ownership Homes For People Who Have A Learning Disability

  Home ownership offers significant advantages for disabled people, in terms of security, choice, quality and control. SeeAbility has been working with an organisation called Shared Ownership Homes to make it easier for disabled people to own a home of their own. The new scheme, operated by Shared Ownership Homes gives disabled people the opportunity to buy a house or flat of their choice in partnership with a housing association. The scheme is open to all people who have a learning disability, irrespective of the degree of their impairment. Applicants do not need to have either an income or capital to take advantage of the opportunity. Key features of the scheme include: help getting a mortgage, welfare benefit advice and assistance with finding a home to buy. SeeAbility Support Services can provide care and support to people living in their own homes to help with day-to-day living. For more information visit Shared Ownership Homes or contact one of our New Business Managers whose details can be found in the Service Contacts area of this website.
  
  

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If you are interested in developing a new service for people who have a visual impairment and additional disabilities, please contact one of our New Business Managers whose details can be found in the Service Contacts area of this website.