New centre to teach life skills

A new £2.3m centre in Derbyshire to help people with learning difficulties has opened its doors.

The main aims of The Bungalow, built by the county council, are to provide respite care and to teach life skills to people with learning disabilities.

It replaces the Newhall Hostel and people will be moved into the new centre, off Meadow Lane, in Newhall.

The Bungalow is split into two units, and each can accommodate up to five people aged 18 to 65.

A majority of people with learning disabilities want to live as independently as possible. Councillor Dave Allen

One unit will be used to provide respite care and the other will be a "lifestyle unit", meant for people who currently live at home or in residential accommodation but want to live more independently.

They will be assessed before going to stay at the unit where they will learn skills like shopping, cooking and managing a budget.

Residents at Newhall Hostel were consulted over the closure of the hostel and have either been found new homes or will be moved to The Bungalow.

Dave Allen, cabinet member for adult social services, said: "All our consultations show that a majority of people with learning disabilities want to live as independently as possible, either on their own or in smaller groups.

"The other very important element of The Bungalow is the respite care unit, which gives families and carers a well-earned break."