Chance to lead life to the fullest
Work is almost complete on an innovative Strath residential home that will allow those with complex and profound learning disabilities to live an active and fulfilling life.
And Comrie’s Louis Sainsbury can’t wait to move in to the converted steading at Aberuthven that will be known as the Appletree Community.
The building, which was purchased with funds held in the court for Louis as a result of a medical negligence case, will become home to the 34 year-old and two other residents.
Mum Kate Sainsbury has long- held a dream of providing a safe and sustainable homely environment in Scotland for Louis, who is severely brain-injured due to neonatal meningitis, and others with complex needs, where they can actively contribute to society.
Louis has been living in hospital in Dundee since his Glasgow care home shut and there was no suitable alternative care available in Scotland.
It has been tough for the family during the pandemic as sociable Louis has been unable to comprehend the situation.
Kate, a Lay Reader with the Scottish Episcopal Church said: “Two years is a long time. When he first went there [Dundee], there were only seven residents but now there are 10 – which doesn’t seem much but it’s a 32 per cent increase and it means the ward is less peaceful than it used to be.
“It also means more staff and as with the whole of the NHS there is such a pressure on staffing.
“I’m allowed to see him twice a week now but last lockdown I couldn’t see him at all.”
Kate is working with Perth and Kinross Council and the charity Scottish Autism.
Another resident for Appletree, who is also from the Strath, will join Louis after a period of transition for them both.
A core team of three specialist staff has been recruited by Scottish Autism and additional support staff are being sought.
Kate explained: “Scottish Autism, from within their own existing staff, identified a terrific woman – Sue Campbell – to be the manager. She has worked in care for 25 years.
“That just felt so wonderful to have someone that knows what she is doing and knows about team-building. Then we had two recruitment days for two autism practitioners.
“Scottish Autism is developing working practices where everyone in the team has a responsibility for something and therefore it’s more about co-participation, which sounds very healthy to me.
“So we have that team in place and now we are recruiting support workers.”
Kate explained that those with complex needs can be a “squeezed minority” and it can be challenging to find suitable carers as more people prefer to work in the traditional care home environment, which can be seen as an easier option.
She continued: “The training with Scottish Autism is second to none, and we want to convey to a wider society that being a carer is about a whole lot of things – it’s being a resourcer, an activity planner, an artist, a cook; it’s partly to do with being an early care practitioner as you have to have the imagination you would have with a young child so it’s actually quite exciting.
“When we’ve been interviewing we’ve had people who are interested in kayaking and scuba diving – anybody can bring anything to the table because actually our boys are really up for it.
“We are building a community of staff and we are looking for more.
“The other good thing is the relationships we are forging with other organisations that are looking after people with profound disabilities and autism, such as PAMIS – Promoting A More Inclusive Society.”
Kate has also set up The Aiteal Trust – a charity which, in time, will offer resources and workshops at Appletree Community.
In addition, a page on www.justgiving.com for specialist garden play equipment has already raised over £1000 of its £4000 target.
Donations can be made by searching for Kate’s name on the page or calling 07515 709179. For more information on the available positions, contact Neal Ferrie at neal.ferrie@scottishautism.org.