St Paul’s Court celebrates its tenth anniversary in style

Cllr Andrew Ewing (Mayor of Lisburn), Dinah Chapman first service user and Kelly Devlin, manager.

St Paul’s Court - owned by OakleeTrinity, Northern Ireland’s largest housing association - is a purpose built accommodation unit with fifteen bungalows and eight flats for older people including people with dementia.

Support focuses on maintaining the individual’s independent living skills, and uses various assistive technologies to compensate for any sensory and cognitive impairment.

The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing and local MLA’s and councillors, were joined by tenants, staff and friends at a luncheon event at the scheme to mark the anniversary recently.

Kelly Devlin(Praxis Care), Dinah Chapman (First Service user), Timothy Quin (OakleeTrinity) and Andy Mayhew(Praxis Care)

The event was also attended by the Vice Chair of Praxis Care, John McGrego. Gifts were presented to a tenant and member of staff who joined the project when it first opened in 2004.

Praxis Care is a major provider of services for adults and children with a learning disability, mental ill health, and acquired brain injury in Ireland, UK and the Isle of Man.

Dina Chapman, Tenant at St Paul’s Court, Lisburn said: “I have been living at St Paul’s Court from March 2004. I enjoy living here. The staff are very helpful and good to me. I feel very safe and comfortable in my home. Living in St Paul’s court has been a very good experience for me.”

Mr McGregor said: “Praxis Care provides a vital support service to the service users in the St Paul’s Project.

“We continue to work in partnership with Oaklee Trinity Housing Association, the Southern Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and a variety of local agencies to meet the needs of individuals with dementia to live independently in the community.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff team for their work and commitment to the scheme over the years. We look forward to continuing our work in the future.”

Timothy Quin, Chairman of OakleeTrinity, said: “OakleeTrinity are very proud of the success of St. Paul’s Court. We value the individuality of every tenant and the contribution of older tenants to OakleeTrinity and the wider community. We have developed homes and services that support independent living that enable older people to remain active and engaged in their neighbourhoods.”