More Children and Families in Fife to benefit from new services

Aberlour Children’s Charity has expanded its disability services in Fife with additional new services and purpose-built accommodation to support more children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or more complex needs. These services, opening today in Glenrothes are a triumph for the young people, parents, social work and NHS partners who have been in collaboration with Aberlour and Glen Housing Association for four years to make this happen.

The services comprise brand new flats, a three bedded residential house and a new residential short breaks house.

The purpose-built flats have been built in partnership with Glen Housing Association for four young people aged 16 plus who have a learning disability and / or autism. The young people will be provided with 24-hour support enabling them to participate fully in activities within their communities and remain close to their families and friends.
McNally house, which was has provided short break accommodation to the community for the past 25 years, has been repurposed as three bedded residential house and will also provide 24-hour support to young people.

The new short breaks residential service, Rainbow Heart Cottage is a brand new house, also purpose-built by Glen Housing Association and will offer accommodation to the 37 children Aberlour works with in Fife. It will offer a safe and homely environment for up to five disabled children, aged 6 – 18 years, to stay in at any one time. While staying at Rainbow Heart Cottage, children will enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with staff who specialise in taking care of children with disabilities. This will very much be a ‘home from home’ experience for the children who stay there and will provide the families with a rest from their caring role, as a result.

Liz Nolan, Depute Director of Aberlour said; “We are absolutely delighted to be launching the new services and to be able to help so many more young people across Fife. To be able to support these young people and allow them to live in their own community, in purpose-built facilities is wonderful. We are so grateful to Glen Housing Association who have undertaken the building design and the local community who for the last 25 years have been so supportive”.

Anne Dickie, Director of Glen Housing Association said; ”It has been a pleasure for all of us at Glen Housing Association to design these wonderful new homes for so many children and young people supported by Aberlour. To know that we are enabling them to live their lives to the full, whether it’s in the new short break respite house, residential house or new flats which will enable young people to be more independent is very encouraging”.

Jacqui Kirk, Service Manager said; “The team and I are very excited to welcome children and young people to our new houses and flats which are spacious, safe, secure and beautifully designed. The families will also benefit hugely from the new services knowing that their children are in purpose-built homes catering for young people with disabilities. We know from previous experience how important it is that the young people remain close to their own communities and can access the support they need. Living here will enable them to do precisely that.”

Susan Koren, parent of a young person in McNally house said: ” We previously used Aberlour as a respite resource whilst our daughter was at school. She thrived during her visits due to the high level of care and attention from the enthusiastic staff. We were delighted when Aberlour decided to expand their service to residential care for young adults as there are limited resources available in Fife and Scotland.”

If you would like to be considered for a role in our services and are passionate about helping our young people to thrive and flourish, please go to www.aberlour.org.uk/jobs to find out about our current vacancies.