Margaret Blackwood's Raeden Court celebrates 25th Anniversary
Twenty-five years ago last week, Margaret Blackwood Housing Association officially opened Raeden Court, their housing development on Mid Stocket Road in Aberdeen. A week of celebrations kicked off with a 1980s Quiz Night, with tenants, their families and friends joining members of staff in a fun-packed evening trawling memories and laughing at silly recollections. On Wednesday 12th November, 25 years to the day from the Opening, Raeden Court held an Open Day where tenants and family members met up with friends from Aberdeen City Council’s social work department, occupational therapists, organisations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Disabled Persons Housing Service, Aberdeen College and Moray College and, of course, members of staff from Margaret Blackwood’s other offices. Frank Doran, MP for Aberdeen North and an old friend of Raeden Court, dropped by for a chat with everyone, sharing his reminiscences and cutting the celebratory cake. 
Special awards were made to four residents who have been at Raeden Court since it opened. Lindy Loader lives in the Supported Accommodation unit, where she can call on staff to help her 24 hours every day. Moyra Marshall, Graeme Buchan and David Rogers live independently in Raeden Court’s sheltered housing, getting assistance from support workers to help with things they find a bit difficult. 
There were also Long Service awards to two members of staff. Pat Dunbar has worked as a domestic for 25 years, starting at Raeden Court even before the first tenants moved in. Utterly dedicated to her tenants, Pat has kept Raeden Court spotless for a quarter of a century. Anne Eunson – who, along with her husband and family, has also been a tenant in the development’s mainstream housing for 25 years – has been cook and kitchen domestic for 20 years. Anne decided not to count up all the meals, snacks and cups of tea she’s made over the years. The Open Day drew to a close with a screening of Margaret Blackwood’s new film, Backing Your Life Choices, featuring 17 of their tenants from across Scotland talking, often movingly, about how their lives are enriched and their independence maintained by the support they receive. Raeden Court continues to play a vital role within Aberdeen. There is mainstream housing for people without disabilities. There is fully adapted housing for people with limited mobility, who use wheelchairs, who have sensory disabilities, neurological disabilities or have acquired brain injuries. There are support workers who deliver a wide range of Housing Support and Care at Home services to people requiring assistance to live independently and get the most out of life. And the Supported Accommodation unit provides specialised care for people with complex needs on a 24-hour, 365 day basis. All the support and care is planned in partnership with each tenant and carefully tailored to meet personal needs and fulfil dreams. As the celebrations came to an end with a rip-roaring party on Friday 14th November, glasses were raised to the next 25 years. Top of Page
|
