Homes

In common with our “keep it simple” philosophy all our homes are decorated and furnished with care to ensure that they have a light, modern, quality living environment without any element of institutional feel about them.

Whilst there is a commonality about the decoration and management systems in the homes the types of property and their situations are intentionally quite disparate. The homes which are allocated to our young people are chosen with great care in order that they may suit their circumstances and needs at that particular juncture in their lives. The homes may be allocated to provide semi-independent living in the community with easy access to amenities and transport links or they may be set in a rural location to give respite and a break from peer pressures.

Wherever they are located they are all managed to ensure the highest standards of safety, warmth and comfort. They are inspected weekly by independent managers and are meticulously maintained. Standards of cleanliness and administration are also subject to weekly management scrutiny. Our resident young people are invited to comment upon their home and any aspects of their care during these weekly inspections. Their family and significant others are made very welcome to visit and be entertained at their home. Placing authority staff are always welcome to visit the young person at their home or hold meetings at them at any time.

All of the images can be clicked to view a larger version.

Homes in Dumfries and Galloway

Kirkpatrick Flemming

This home is a detached bungalow situated in a rural position entirely on its own between the village of Kirkpatrick Flemming and the town of Gretna Green. It is close to the M74 access yet provides a level of peace and privacy most suitable for a young person who needs time away from peers or who is vulnerable or finds it difficult to share. It is registered for one young person and has three bedrooms, a kitchen and living/dining room which provide spacious accommodation for 2:1 living. It has a large garden and is surrounded by open fields. There is a garage which is equipped as an amenity room with a pool table. It is centrally heated and is decorated and furnished in a modern style to provide a light, comfortable environment and home.

Townhouse in Annan

This house is a spacious three storey, stone built, town house situated in the centre of Annan which is a market town on the main A75 between Carlisle and Dumfries. It is close to all amenities of the town and provides an ideal base for older young people who require community contact or semi-independent living. It is registered for two young persons, is well proportioned and comprises four bedrooms, a bathroom with bath and shower, kitchen and sitting/dining room. It is centrally heated, and furnished to high standards providing a modern, comfortable environment.

Country house near Annan

This large stone built detached bungalow is set in a secluded position surrounded by woodland just adjacent to the A75 trunk road to Dumfries three miles from the market town of Annan. It is registered for two young people, (particularly suitable for siblings), and provides a level of privacy and seclusion away from unwelcome influences but with easy access to the amenities of the nearby towns. It has three large bedrooms, a bathroom with shower and bath, a bathroom with a shower, a kitchen, a utility room, a sitting room and a sun room/dining room. It is most comfortably furnished, with central heating providing a warm, modern environment set in half acre gardens.

Gretna Green

A modern mid-terraced bungalow situated in the town of Gretna Green close to local amenities and the M74 motorway access and the English border. It is registered for one young person and provides an ideal platform upon which an older young person can begin to learn independent living. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a shower room, kitchen/diner and a living room. Good quality furnishings and decoration give it a cosy welcoming ambience. It is very close to shops, social and sports clubs and provides good access to public transport links to the larger cities of Carlisle and Dumfries.

Homes in the Scottish Borders

Newcastleton

A large detached stone built bungalow situated in a rural location outside Newcastleton, surrounded by open fields and with fishing rights to the River Hermitage which abounds the large garden. This home is registered for two young people and comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen/diner and a very large sitting room with dining area. It is electrically heated throughout with a light airy feel and is well furnished and decorated. It is particularly suitable for vulnerable young people who would benefit from a home away from unwelcome influences although it is three miles from the market town of Newcastleton and eighteen from Hawick. It is also situated near to the stunning Kielder forest with the associated outdoor activities and gives easy access to the towns of the English North East by car if not public transport.

Townhouse in Hawick

This large semi-detached stone built villa is situated close to the centre of Hawick benefiting from access to all local amenities and provides spacious airy accommodation on three floors with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, sitting room and a large modern kitchen/diner. It is registered for two young people and has ample accommodation space for two young people and four staff. It has gas central heating and is furnished and decorated to high standards to provide a light, modern and comfortable environment. It has good facilities for education and job opportunities making it an excellent home for young people and those in transition.

Village House near Kelso

This home is a two storey stone built cottage in the village of Gordon five miles from Kelso. Although in a semi-rural location it is easily accessible to the main towns in the Scottish Borders. It comprises two double bedrooms, a sitting room, sunroom/diner, bathroom and kitchen. It is centrally heated and is registered for one young person and, in common with all our homes, is decorated and furnished to high standards to provide a warm, comfortable domestic home environment.

Testimonials

“I rate your service 9 out of 10 – you listened”

Young Person, 2008
“The staff are good and fair and will always treat you with respect”

Young Person, 2008
“The flexibility of both care staff and management enabled her to have input into her care whilst providing the protection that she needed”

Social Worker, Redcar and Cleveland, 2009
“It is difficult for care staff to remain impassive to the young person and to contribute to keeping the rules/boundaries/routines but your staff are able to provide the young person with all the skills, they are very proficient”

Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2008
“Impressed with committment of staff in a challenging placement”

Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“I feel that Active Ark workers do well in sometimes challenging situations”

Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“A high level of care offered for a challenging child and difficult family situation”

Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“Staff stated that they enjoyed strong support from the management team”

Care Commission Inspector, 2008
“I would rate your service as 10 out of 10 - I felt safe all the time”

Young Person, 2008
“The care staff, especially his key worker, helped rebuild his trust in adults and helped him mature as a person”

Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“The staff seem to have a good rapport with the family”

Social Worker, Falkirk, 2009
“The standards of care at Active Ark are excellent and your Duty Managers systems work exceptionally well – always helpful and effective in my experiences with Active Ark”

Senior Practitioner, Falkirk, 2008
“Communication with staff/managers is very good which contributes to the effect of Social Work involvement”

Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“Thank you so much for all the support you have given to him over the past months. He has made so much progress and it’s all down to the hard work of your staff”

Parent, Scottish Borders, 2008.
“Keep up the good work and thank you for all your help”

Social Worker, Dumfries and Galloway, 2009.
“Your involvement reduced the risks for the young person and for myself”

Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“Your care worker had a great deal of patience with my Son, I think he went beyond the call of duty with him”

Parent, 2009
“The placement provided a good opportunity for her to take part in new activities in a safe environment”

Social Worker, Falkirk, 2008
“It is acknowledged that staff were very often under a lot of stress when looking after her and considering this, their responses and standard of care was excellent”

Social Worker, Redcar and Cleveland, 2009.
“He came home from Active Ark a different boy, he is more settled and content”

Parent, 2009
“Staff clearly knew the young people well and were sensitive to their individual needs and preferences”

Care Commission Inspector, 2008
“Active Ark’s service is very competent and well organised”

Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2008
“Active Ark provided him with a very holistic model of carewhich included working with his whole family. This worked very well for him and definitely contributed to the progress he has made”

Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“Your care worker was so very understanding, and yet was able to challenge him and set the necessary boundaries to keep his charge safe”

Family Group Co-ordinator, Falkirk, 2007
“The continuity of staff who in turn were clearly committed to the young person . There was a good sense of this leading to a good and supportive relationship with the young person”

Social Worker, Falikirk, 2009
“Active Ark have always demonstrated fully their reliability and commitment to their work”

Social Worker, Scottish Borders ,2009
“A challenging placement, the care provided by Active ark was consistently appropriate”

Social Worker, Dumfries & Galloway, 2007
“Thank you very much for the help you gave to my boys while they were with you. I will not forget your caring and patience and the time you dedicated to helping them and talking to them through their time at Active Ark. I know you have made an impact on their lives for the better”

Parent, Falkirk, 2009.
“Many thanks for your services”

Senior Practitioner, Falkirk, 2008
“Active Ark are always very helpful and provide a first class service”

Social Worker, Falkirk, 2009
“You presented ability to support her for any aspect of her needs”

Social Worker, Fife, 2009
“Staff were very caring towards him and ensured that his needs were met”

Social Worker, Cumbria, 2009
“Embracing and working with the whole family to ensure the young person remains an important and included member worked well and helped with solving problems and building resiliences”

Social Worker, Scottish Borders, 2009
“Very happy, Active Ark will always support you”

Young Person, 2008

Active Ark