From Left: Laura O’Dowd, Host; Colm McDaid, CEO Supporting Communities NI; Professor Paddy Gray, Host; Donal McManus, CEO Irish Council for Social Housing; Karen McElhill & Dawn Shaw, Action for Children; Elaine Taylor, Apex’s Director of Personnel & Mark Toland, Apex’s Senior Property Services Officer.
Apex wins the Chartered Institute of Housing’s – Working Together award.
In October 2015, Apex completed 13 single bed apartments at Rossorry House in Enniskillen for joint management with Action for Children, a UK children’s charity.
The partnership enabled Apex to provide young homeless persons aged 16-25 years in the Enniskillen area with safe, stable accommodation in a supported environment.
Prior to the development the Rossorry supported living project accommodation options for care leavers/homeless youth in Enniskillen area were limited to:
• Continuing to reside with foster carers under the GEM scheme
• Placement in B&B accommodation with support from Action for Children floating support service and relevant social work teams
• Highly supported accommodation in Derry/Londonderry
To address the issue Apex acquired an existing development consisting of two uncompleted blocks of apartments and working collaboratively with Action for Children re-designed the accommodation to suit the requirements of young adults.
To-day the completed Rossorry House comprises two buildings providing 13 self-contained, fully furnished one- bedroom apartments, a staff office, a private meeting area and a communal area containing a kitchen, relaxing area and laundry facilities. It operates at full occupancy and has a considerable waiting list.
Gerry Kelly, Apex’s Chief Executive said:
“Achieving recognition from the Chartered Institute of Housing reflects a job well done and we are indebted to Action for Children for their guidance and advice during the development phase to ensure that the finished scheme delivers only the highest of standards”
