Inspire’s supported housing service at Altigarron Court in west Belfast was first on the order of business at the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday, as Órlaithí Flynn MLA highlighted the crucial support that we are providing in communities throughout Northern Ireland.
Following our June meeting with the Committee for Communities, we were keen to keep the issue of supported housing on the agenda at Stormont and Órlaithí, who visited Altigarron Court — in the heart of her constituency — earlier this month, kindly agreed to make a member’s statement on the topic. This was an important contribution to our ongoing efforts to engage with decision makers and elected representatives in this critical area.
During her speech, Órlaithí said:
“I recently had the pleasure of visiting Inspire’s Altigarron Court service in west Belfast and, most important, of meeting some of the people who call it “home”. It was brilliant to hear from the residents about what living there means to them. It means having their own home and independence, being part of their community and knowing that support is there when they need it. The exceptional work that is carried out by the staff and the positive relationships that they have built up with the residents were clear to see. The staff’s support plays an important role in empowering people to live independently with dignity and confidence.
“That demonstrates what supported accommodation can achieve for people. It is about much more than providing a roof over someone’s head: with the right home and the right support, people can improve their well-being, live in recovery and live fulfilling lives in their communities.”
You can watch the entire statement below.