Home is where the cats are

There’s lots of things that help to make a house feel like a home and for Ragan, having her cats with her at Kirkdale House has been crucial.

“I don’t think I would have moved in if I wasn’t allowed my cats” she says. Ragan was able to bring her beloved five-year-old cat, Roxy, with her and has since adopted another, six-month-old Nala.

Lauren Fisher, Service Leader at Kirkdale House, said: “The people that we support are allowed to bring their pets or have new pets. We can see how uplifting it is for people.”

The expansive garden space at Kirkdale House is also a bonus: “There’s a lot of outdoor space and we can do whatever we want with it - the cats love climbing the trees! Everyone loves them and treats them like Kirkdale’s cats now!” Ragan smiles.

Kirkdale House is the first time Ragan has lived in a supported living environment. Before moving, she lived in her own home with visits from a support worker, but found that it wasn’t working for her.

Ragan explains: “I can leave my door open here, but when I was in my own house, I was constantly checking and didn’t sleep well - so it’s improving my mental health”.

“Living here has made me feel safe and cared about. It’s lovely and the staff here are lovely too, I’ve never met a team quite like it,” she adds.

The team at Community Integrated Care work to deliver the best lives possible for the people they support, whether that be assisting them with their daily lives, such as shopping or socialising in their communities, to accessing life-changing services, such as mental health support and initiatives to improve peoples’ skills, confidence and independence.

As well as the comfort and emotional support she receives from her team, Ragan has found a nurturing environment within Kirkdale House: “There’s always someone around if you’re feeling low and just need someone to talk to, we’re sort of like a big family really. If you want friends, they’re here, but if you want to be by yourself that’s okay, too. That’s what family is all about.”

Ragan has also been encouraged to develop new hobbies, supporting her to be more independent, and has become involved with activities organised by the team, such as soap-making classes, bowling day trips and even creating a daily newspaper for residents!

“The newspaper makes me feel involved and helps me get to know people better. The last edition even had a Pets Corner, so we had images of the residents and their animals!” adds Ragan.

It’s all proof of just how much progress Ragan has made since moving to Kirkdale House, with Lauren saying: “From when I first met Ragan there’s a massive difference. Both because of the support she’s had from the team, but down to her too, because she pushes herself every day.

“We know there’s a really confident Ragan in there and that’s what we want to bring out again. And we’re getting there!”