For 11 disabled people preparing to move into their own flat within a new assisted living development in Harrogate, there are mixed emotions.

There’s a natural apprehension about the change and challenges ahead, as they make their desired move towards more independence and control over the way they live their lives.

But there’s also excitement at the prospect of having their own key to a home that is theirs alone. For most, it will be the first time in their lives that they will have their own front door. Their fully-accessible, modern and spacious apartments will bring them a new level of independence. They will be able to use their space as they wish – to relax, entertain, cook and have friends round.

The £7.5 million St Roberts Grove development was unveiled on Wednesday by the charity and social enterprise, Disability Action Yorkshire. It will replace the organisation’s existing 20-bed residential care home for younger adults on Claro Road.

The scheme is designed to empower people with disabilities to be independent and live their life to the fullest, as they want to live it, while ensuring that support is on hand for them when they need it.

Each flat has its own kitchen, living area, bedroom and en-suite wetroom, and has been custom designed for the individual needs of its inhabitant. Staff from the charity will be on site 24 hours a day to provide personalised care and support. Each flat will also have a call bell system so tenants can ask for assistance if they need it.

'Nervous and excited'

Jacqueline Kelly is among the first group of residents, mostly aged between 18 and 45, who will be moving into their new homes on Monday.

Attending the official opening of the development last Wednesday, Jacqueline had just a few bits left to pack over the weekend. For the last 24 years, she has been living at Claro Road, where she’s had her own bedroom and en-suite wet room but has shared a communal living room, dining room and kitchen. So this will be a big change for her. She said:

'This is just the next challenge'

Nick Moxon feels the same way. He's slightly apprehensive about moving into his own flat after 14 years at Claro Road. But, at the same time, he’s looking forward to being more independent and is relishing the challenge ahead of him. He said:

Nick said he’d gained a lot of self-confidence during his time at Claro Road and had met some great people, who he would miss. He said:

Nick said he was very impressed by the spaciousness of the flats, with the size of the bathrooms really standing out for him.

And once he’s settled in, there’s one thing that he’s set his sights on achieving this year. He said:

Setting the standard

Baroness Thompson's words were echoed by the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, who cut the ribbon on the new development. Congratulating Disability Action Yorkshire, he described the new supported living scheme as a major project for the charity and one to which they'd aspired for a long time. He said:

'The same opportunities as everyone else'

Jackie said demand for flats had been high and encouraged people to register their interest. More people will be moving in over the next few months, leaving the new accommodation almost fully occupied.

It has taken nearly a decade for the scheme to be completed, after multiple false starts and the pandemic meant it took longer than expected, said Jackie. She added:

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