Willow Brook receives funding

Residents at Willow Brook in Coleraine, a supported housing scheme for people with a learning disability, is one of three services run by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) set to benefit from an award of nearly £20,000 from the Housing Executive’s Supporting People Programme – Provider Innovation Fund.

The funding will go to projects that improve the physical, mental health and wellbeing residents.

Opened in 2002, Willow Brook is set in a quiet residential area overlooking the River Bann close to the town centre. Home to nine people, the scheme consists of three bungalows and two larger buildings, which support residents to live independently with appropriate help and care available where necessary.

Willow Brook’s manager, Liz Wilson explained: “We are using this special funding to convert a shed that we have into a mini-gym, with a treadmill and a static exercise bike that will help our residents’ physical wellbeing.

“Covid and the restrictions we all have to live with, have really impacted on the activities enjoyed by our residents, especially swimming, youth clubs, going out generally and socialising. Most of these just stopped overnight, including some of their jobs. The mini gym will give them a change of activity, especially one that is a physical activity, that will impact not only their physical wellbeing, but their mental wellbeing as well.”