Later today The City of Edinburgh Council will open a new residential home for young people in Wester Hailes. The Heathervale Young Peoples Centre will provide accommodation for young people between the age of 8 and 18.
This is the first time the council has built a new care home facility since 2003 and the home has a self contained flat with living and creative spaces for the residents and staff.
Councillor Cathy Fullerton who is Vice-Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee will cut the ribbon later.
The Scottish Government issued new guidelines for the design of residential care homes to create a nurturing homely atmosphere, and this advice was taken into account when considering what Heathervale would look like.
Young people themselves were involved in the colour schemes and furniture being used in the home, but large firms such as John Lewis, Texture and Harlequin also helped by providing wallpaper for up cycling. An appeal to local arts and crafts groups resulted in an amazing array of hand-made cushions and quilts for Heathervale and other local residential homes. The interior design at the homes has been nominated for a Society of British and International Design Award.
Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Vice Convener of the Education, Children & Families Committee at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We are determined to make our remaining residential estate of the highest possible quality and this fantastic new building is the first significant step in achieving this.
“I’m delighted that one of the innovative elements for the new Heathervale YPC has been involving young people in the design process itself. The impact of a care home environment can have an effect on the children and young people living there so taking on board their views and comments has been a very positive step.
“Some young people are in care for a short period of time so the flexible and nurturing approach used in Heathervale’s design sends out a strong message about how much the Capital Coalition values our residential services and our young people who are cared for.”
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