New home milestone
A mother’s dream
We are travelling ‘in the slow lane’ but the purchase of the property marks a significant stage
A Comrie mother’s dream of setting up an innovative residential therapeutic community in Perth and Kinross for those with complex and profound learning disabilities is a step closer to being realised.
Kate Sainsbury has secured a steading conversion at Aberuthven, which will be a safe and sustainable home meeting the long-term needs of a handful of residents. It will be known as the Appletree Community.
Kate’s son Louis is severely brain-injured due to neonatal meningitis and needs a fulltime dedicated carer.
Kate began her quest to find suitable accommodation around 18 months ago after the home he had been living in closed down.
The only other suitable residential community that could adequately meet the 33 year-old’s needs was south of the border.
Since January, Louis has been living in a locked ward at Ninewells because there is no suitable community care available for him in Scotland.
Kate, a Lay Reader in local churches, said: “Important ingredients in Appletree Community will be the commitment of well-trained, well-supported staff and the establishment of routines and suitable activities to support residents.
“To that end we are working with Scottish Autism, an established, reputable charity, who will provide the care. Appletree Community aims to support staff and residents.
“Another factor is having spacious accommodation, inside and outside, for residents and staff. A third factor will be the quality of relationships within Appletree Community and between Appletree Community and wider society.
“At the heart of this is a vision of Louis and other residents actively contributing to society, offering hospitality to us, living unique lives that enrich us, as we come to know them.
“There is still a great deal yet to do. We are still looking for potential residents, we need to grow a parent group and a circle of ‘Friends’.
“The legal, administrative entities are still work in progress. We are travelling ‘ in the slow lane’ but the purchase of the property marks a significant stage.”
“For me, the project has been a calling to do something I am uniquely placed and equipped as Louis’s mother to tackle, yet I am overwhelmed by the enormity of it. I have prayed every step of the way, asked for help, found it.
“Many have supported us this far and I thank them.”
Kate held an open day at the new home on Saturday, which was attended by 44 people, including families interested in finding accommodation for adult children with disabilities, well-wishers and neighbours.
The steading has been purchased from funds held in the court for Louis as a result of his medical negligence case. The personal care of each resident will be met by the local authority.
Kate added: “The idea is that the small group of parents and supporters as a charity are trying to work to achieve a homely place for people to live that doesn’t cost any more but where the values are really important.
“The steading will provide a safe environment for those with complex needs in Perth and Kinross to live.
“It’s a terrific milestone.”