The Trust’s vision has always been to raise funds to provide specialised accommodation and care to support young people with complex disabilities and to assist in other ways where it is most needed.

Recent guidelines on new build accommodation requires larger units and additional facilities so that supported housing and shared ownership schemes can be instigated, which will enable access to housing benefits and improved individual choices. Unfortunately our proposed land size could not meet these requirements.

The Trust continues to support our special young people and families and is always looking at various options to secure their future.

Sadly in 2011 our Chairman the Reverend John Webster passed away. He had been unwell for a while but always gave his full support to the Trust's vision and on many occasions spoke passionately of the needs of the disabled young people in the area. For over 25 years he had been the strength of the Trust and his dedication and caring input will be sadly missed.

Meanwhile more recently, people with severe needs have been given the option of personal budgets. Full details of the costs of the care and support of that person are assessed by Adult Social Care alongside an independent company and when agreed, these finances are allocated on a monthly basis to an advocate, the family or to the person themselves. This gives them the opportunity to employ a team of carers and support who can be from an agency, friends or family as long as they do not live in the same residence - a totally independent scheme of care which is reviewed annually. The PCT are undertaking a similar scheme.

This Trust has been looking at this new initiative which encourage families with loved ones who have “critical” special needs to keep them at home or in familiar surroundings for longer because of this improved allocation of finance which supports independence and choice.

For further information on either of the above please contact:-

AGAPE Family Care Trust

(Patrick & Pam Chatfield)

46, Thornes Crescent,

Bexhill-on-Sea,

East Sussex.

TN39 5JH

e-mail admin@agapefamilycare.co.uk - Tel. (01424 892335)

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