Ballymisert Officially Opened
High Quality Housing Changes Lives
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister officially opened Ballymisert Heights, on the Holywood Road in Belfast, in conjunction with the its first anniversary. Staff and service users were joined by representatives from Triangle Housing, Inspire Wellbeing, Belfast Health Trust, McAdam Design and Donaghmore Construction.
Ballymisert won the coveted Social Housing Scheme of the Year 2016 and Raymond Nicholl, Director of Housing at Triangle Housing commented: “Ballymisert is a fantastic example of how high quality supported housing enhances and enriches the quality of people’s lives and we are extremely proud of it. Triangle is committed to delivering supported housing and will continue to promote the hugely significant benefits that it delivers for individuals, communities and wider society.”
Speaking about the service, Manager Lorraine Simpson (Inspire Wellbeing) said: ‘‘Ballymisert Heights is a 24 hour supported housing scheme aimed at enabling those with mental ill-health to live independently in the local community. The scheme was built by Triangle Housing and is managed by Inspire Mental Health, there are 17 individual apartments and a shared house. There is also a communal space, known as ‘The Den’, where tenants can watch TV, join in various activities and relax. Tenants are secure in the knowledge that their tenancy will allow them to take the time needed to complete their Recovery Journey into total independent living.’’
Following the ‘ribbon cutting’, Ballymisert Heights then opened its doors to members of the local community and hosted a family wellbeing afternoon which gave the opportunity for people from the area to drop in and meet with Inspire’s Maternal Wellbeing Ambassador Lindsay Robinson, see their local mental health service first hand, get involved with family crafting activities and pick up information and advice on looking after their wellbeing.