Danshell, a specialist provider of learning disability, autism and mental health services in the UK, is opening a bespoke care facility in Darlington.
Hollyhurst Lodge, in the grounds of Danshell’s Hollyhurst service based on Woodlands Road, has been completely refurbished to provide personalised care and accommodation for two male adults with complex needs.
Danshell is recruiting around 20 support workers and a number of learning disability or mental health nurses to work at Hollyhurst Lodge and other sites in the area.
The two service users will move into Hollyhurst Lodge from hospital where they have spent a number of years, and they, and their carers, have been involved in the layout, furnishing and design of their own individual space to create personal, bespoke facilities.
Each gentleman will have a separate lounge and bedroom with a shared kitchen, a sensory garden and a summer house for activities, including arts and crafts and life skills. Hollyhurst Lodge will be staffed 24 hours a day with nursing and support staff to enable the service users to access the local community and live more independently.
The service will be managed by experienced health and social care professional Steven Wharton who also oversees Hollyhurst. Steven, who is a qualified Learning Disability nurse, worked within the NHS for 30 years before moving into the private sector.
A recruitment day is being held at Morton Park in Darlington on the 20th July for anyone interested in learning more about the opportunities available.
Stella Bolger, project manager for Hollyhurst Lodge, said: “I am looking forward to working closely with the service users, their families and other key professionals involved in their care. Hollyhurst Lodge will integrate with the local community and provide a safe environment, delivering compassionate and effective care by a highly skilled group of care professionals.
“We are looking to the local area to fill a number of roles at Hollyhurst Lodge for a core staff team to ensure continuity of care and support for the two people living there.
“Danshell has a good reputation for innovative, quality care and has successfully created bespoke care packages for service users that greatly add to their quality of life.
“I am particularly delighted that one gentleman is able to return to his home town and be close to friends and family after many years in a hospital environment.”
Andrew Murray, CEO of Danshell, said: “This service has been designed specifically to meet the needs of these two service users.
“When considering future developments for Danshell services in the North East careful consideration has been given to establishing what local authority and health commissioners need. The message came back loud and clear ‘local services for local people’.
“These discussions then focused around service users who would benefit from an individually designed care package back within their home area and outside a hospital setting.
“This has so far involved initial assessment, a holistic service design, and implementation of careful transition plans.
“Hollyhurst Lodge is a service that Darlington can be proud of, providing safe, person-centred care that meets the needs of commissioners and reflects the current thinking of supporting service users in the least restrictive environment.
“The team at Hollyhurst Lodge will be focused on ensuring that the service users are part of the local community and can access meaningful activities to meet their needs.
“Danshell is committed to supporting people in a manner that enables them do the things that most of us take for granted such as spending time with family and friends, having something worthwhile to doduring the day, learning new skills and feeling included and valued in their own community.
“Quality of care is at the heart of everything we do and we will carry on listening to all our stakeholders, but importantly, to thepeople who use our services and their families and ensure they have the support they need to speak up and participate.”