The value of independence
What will happen to my child when I die ? That is the question which haunts all parents of people with a disability . Where will they live ? Who will care for them ? Who will love them ?
St Margaret ’ s Uniting Church community in Hackett , Canberra , were addressing these needs when they decided to embark on a housing solution .
Ross Walker Lodge is a home for people with a disability . The Lodge was completed in 2011 , drawing on a $ 1.1 million grant .
In developing accommodation for vulnerable people and people with disabilities there has been tension in recent yeas between the value of independence and the benefits people gain from living in community .
The Lodge is designed to enable residents to have as much independence as they wish , but also security and companionship that comes from being part of an intentional community .
The six or seven residents have the dignity of being part of a household in a home they can call their own . All residents have their own , large private space in a bed-sitting room with room to entertain guests , make a cup of tea , and each has an ensuite bathroom . There are also communal areas for cooking , dining and exercising , which residents can use to the extent that they wish , minimising any sense of isolation or loneliness .
Evening meals are provided and shared communally with the Resident Coordinator , who keeps an eye on security overnight and at weekends . Most residents have outside daily activities accompanied by their individual support workers , but are also free to join in group activities such as book club and Stepping Stones music , art and craft outings with a coffee run by St Margaret ’ s volunteers .
The Lodge is run by a Management Committee and is fully supported financially from rent paid by residents who generally receive the Disability Support Pension with housing supplement , along with their individual NDIS packages which are in part pooled to facilitate meal preparation and cleaning .
- John Goss and Keith Baker ( Originally published In Insights magazine , Dec / Jan 2018 )
St Margaret ’ s News 18 RWL Special