A new project from St Anne's Shelter and Housing Action is offering its tenants more choice and an alternative to life in traditional care homes. 

Fearnville Grove, which has five residents with profound learning disabilities was opened to the first service users on 15 February this year and was the first project of its kind in St Anne's and possibly in Leeds according to service manager-care, Mark Fennelly.

He said the project was a stepping stone in between people living in traditional care homes and living independently in their own homes.

Kate Brennan, supported living manager at Fearnville Grove, said: "It's about people with profound disabilities having more choice and not having to live in a care home."

"The service users at Fearnville Grove are tenants, so this is their home for life."

She said the project was brought about because of the new way Supporting People was allocating money for support which meant increased benefits for the residents, opening up options and giving them increased freedom to choose activities.

Kate said: "Everything we are doing is new, as we are the first of our kind, and we are setting a precedent for others to follow."

Residents at the house make a person centred plan, including in it their thoughts, aspirations, and plans for the future. These person centred plans were taking over from individual support plans, which staff at traditional care homes would write in and most of the time the residents would not have much say in what was included. These plans were reviewed by a board of officials, which those who set up the Fearnville project thought did not help the residents express what they wanted.

The idea was to have a more service user led service, including regular tenants meetings around issues concerning their home, which they were involved in setting up from the start, from paint colours to furniture.

Kate said: "We talk about things they want to talk about and do, not things we think they should do. It's an opportunity for them to sit down with our association and we can really listen to their opinions."

However, the process behind arriving at the project opening was not the easiest one.

Mark said: "We have had to test the boundaries of everyone's beliefs."

We have not created a strict hierarchy in the team, so it's not like the traditional care home. All the staff trained to the same standards, all are on an equal footing.

The service users views are fundemental to this service operating."

"Everything we are doing is new, as we are the first of our kind, and we are setting a precedent for others to follow."

The house at Fearnville was purchased last August, although the idea started in January last year after an increase in demand for support for people with severe learning disabilities and some physical disabilities.

Tsitsi, one of the workers in the home, said working at Fearnville Grove was very satisfying.

She said: "We had a lot of challenges at the beginning, but as soon as everyone settled in it was perfect."

Diane, another worker, said it was good to be able to help people with profound learning difficulties to live independently.

She said: "A lot of people are put into homes and everything is done for them, whereas here it is about teaching independence. They do not need to be shut away."

Everybody has to make decisions and agree because they know they are sharing a house. I would like to see more places like this, everyday you see improvements."