Family open new adult care facility in Dorrington creating 45 new jobs

Home From Home Care was set up by the de Savary family, inspired by their own daughter, Laura, who was born with complex learning difficulties.

Paul and Ann de Savary were told 37 years ago: “Your daughter is mentally handicapped, she might live, or might not – we don’t really know and, by the way, good luck.”

The de Savarys wanted their daughter to live a fulfilled life and relished watching their daughter learn and grow into a charming young adult. But as Laura’s time in specialist education was ending, the search for a residential placement showed them how poor most services were.

Paul said: “After looking at more than 20 residential homes for Laura, we were in total despair at seeing the lack of purpose that so many residents were suffering from.”

They decided “surely we can do this better” and Home From Home Care was born. Paul and Ann, with their son Hugo built their first care home in 2005. It is now part of a network of bespoke care homes in Lincolnshire, supporting over 80 adults with complex learning disabilities including autism, various syndromes as well as associated mental health and health issues including epilepsy from 39 commissioning authorities across the country and employs more than 350 staff.

Building work on the £2.1 million development started in January and The Reeds at Dorrington officially opened on Monday. It will support eight adults - the first moving in yesterday (Tuesday). Every resident has their own personalised self-contained apartment, costing around £275,000 to create, affording them privacy, choice and control. Each apartment has two rooms as well as a kitchen and en-suite. The apartments are linked to a communal area providing the opportunity for social interaction.

Amelia Mochan from the company said: “It is the first of its type in terms of social care, there is nothing like it in the country.”