New adult care service opens in Hartlepool

Danshell, a UK provider of learning disability and mental health services, is investing in a new adult residential service in Hartlepool.

Hope House, which was officially opened on 24th September 2014 by Cllr Mary Fleet, Deputy Mayor of Hartlepool Borough Council, provides six self-contained flats, each with en-suite facilities, kitchenette and separate lounge areas for adults with learning difficulties.

The new service was planned in close partnership with local NHS Health Commissioner and Hartlepool Local Authority to configure the care to meet the needs of the area. Three service users will move into Hope House over the coming months. The future residents and their carers have been involved in the layout, furnishing and design of their flats to create personal, bespoke facilities.

The service will be managed by health and social care professional Stella Bolger. Stella, who is a qualified mental health practitioner, has worked with service users with learning difficulties and autism for more than 20 years and within mental health services since 2006.

Commenting on the opening of Hope House, Stella said:  “Hope House will integrate with the local community and provide a safe environment, delivering compassionate and effective care by a highly skilled group of care professionals. Danshell has a good reputation for innovative, quality care and I am looking forward to establishing Hope House as a beacon for care and support for its service users.”

Efi Hershkovitz, CEO of Danshell, said: “When considering future developments for Danshell services in the North East, careful consideration was given to establishing what local authority and health commissioners needed.  The message came back loud and clear: ‘local services for local people’.

“The team at Hope House will be focused on ensuring that service users are part of the local community and can access education, employment and meaningful activities to meet their needs.”

Councillor Mary Fleet commented: “This is a much needed service for the town and I want to say a huge well done to everybody involved.”