We were delighted to officially open our new Connects Hub in Galashiels on the 12th September. Fully adapted to meet the needs of adults (from 16years) with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, complex care needs and autism, the hub offers a safe and friendly environment and access to a wide range of outcome-based activities and learning opportunities that will help the people we support to reach their full potential.

Activities and opportunities arranged from the hub are both building-based and local community-based opportunities and include everything from early morning, evening, and weekend clubs, and ‘Cuppa & Catch Up’ events to doors open days and hosted visits from a range of NHS Borders healthcare professionals. There is also a fully accessible sensory room, Changing Space, activity kitchen, physio and therapy room, tech and multi-media room, bookable meeting space, a common room and sensory garden.

Andrew McInnes, Branch Leader for our Scottish Borders branch said “We are delighted to be officially opening our Cornerstone Connects Hub today and to welcome so many of the people using our services, their families, and other special guests. The Connects Hub allows our Scottish Borders Support Service team and Care at Home and Housing Support teams and Shared Lives team to work even more closely together and provides a unique opportunity for the people we support to access an enhanced range of activities across the whole week, including daytime, evenings, and weekends. We look forward to developing what is on offer at the hub in close consultation with the people we support, their families and our Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues. We are confident that with our person-centred approach the new hub will go a long way to increasing social inclusion, reducing isolation, promoting independence, encouraging participation, and improving the health and wellbeing of the people we support.” 

Chris Myers, Chief Officer, Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership and Integration Joint Board, said: “This opening represents the significant amount of work that has been undertaken by Cornerstone to identify and establish a suitable setting in the central Borders to deliver their services from. Great care has been taken to adapt the premises to provide a safe and friendly environment for all those attending, while its location makes it ideal for the wide range of community-based opportunities that are also being planned. I wish Cornerstone, their service users and family carers all the very best as they settle into their new environment with all the benefits that this will bring.”

The hub’s dedicated support practitioners are committed to supporting individuals reach their full potential, ensuring they are fully involved in all aspects of shaping their care and support. A wide variety of timetabled events will be on offer within the Connects Hub, but people will also be supported to access their local communities, explore active citizenship and volunteering opportunities, and take part in day trips. The service also provides an important alternative to respite support for families and people supported.   

Tracey Turnbull, Service Lead, explains “The priority of both our Support Service team and Care at Home and Housing Support team is to ensure the people using our services are safe, happy, encouraged and involved in all aspects of their support. We can support people to attend further education and offer enhanced learning and peer networking opportunities. We promote independent living skills, and encourage healthy and positive wellbeing activities for all, be that through supporting with physiotherapy exercises, accessing local swimming and gym sessions, or taking part in Boccia. Making and maintaining friendships and accessing locally run art and music groups are also an important part of what we facilitate.”

One of the people supported is Faye from Melrose, who enjoys attending Care to Create (C2C) every week. Susan is Faye’s mum who says

“Cornerstone colleagues have been absolutely fantastic; they take care to match the right people to support my daughter. I have got a very, very happy 25-year-old woman who is thriving’’.

Nicholas has recently transitioned to Adult Services. Sarahjane and Rodger Nicholas’ mum and dad spent the week in the Support Service, helping colleagues to get to know Nicholas. Sarahjane says “Thank you all so much for the wonderful week I have had visiting with Nicholas. You have the best team ever they are all so brilliant at what they do, and it has been amazing to watch Nicholas transform over the week and really settle into Cornerstone.”

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The opening of the hub was covered by Isla Todd at ITV Borders and is available for you to watch on YouTube. You can hear more from Andrew, some of the people supported at the hub, and Hazel Brown. 

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Our Shared Lives Borders team will also work from the Cornerstone Connects Hub, facilitating transitional and long-term placements for individuals (16 years+) with a wide range of disabilities, conditions and other support needs, as well as offering day support and short breaks. Shared Lives is a unique model of care that helps people (16 years+) to live in their local community, by matching them with an approved Shared Lives carer.  Carers share their home, family and community life with the person they are supporting, whilst providing them with the care they require in an inclusive and homely environment. Every placement is unique, with the support provided being tailored to meet the individual needs of each person.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Cornerstone Connects Hub or any of the services offered, call 01896 801420 or email [email protected]