Member Article

Computers donation improves life for people with diabilities

New tablet computers have opened up fresh opportunities for people with learning disabilities across Hull, the East Riding and Yorkshire.

The mobile equipment has allowed residents at the five specialist learning disability care homes – operated by Hull-based Hica Group - to improve their development and enjoy more independence.

The homes to benefit from a donation of 15 tablets include Isaac Robinson Court, Hull; Kirkgate House, Bridlington; Prospect House, Goole; Sunningdale Court, Scunthorpe; and The Birches, Brigg. Each home received 15 tablet computers to support the learning, therapy and development of the residents.

The donation was made by Hica Group’s own charity, the Shine Fund. This receives revenues from the fundraising efforts of all staff, residents and family members across the Group. Funds are then distributed to support good ideas and projects that aid and promote the quality of life for residents.

Kirkgate House manager Julie Wood leads a team of 33 staff to manage the welfare of 28 residents aged between 18 and 91. She said: “The tablet computers are not just a nice thing for our residents to have, they also support a range of activities which are beneficial to their independence and development. The donation has really made a huge difference to their lives.

“The tablets have enabled residents to carry out tasks which they wouldn’t have done before, for instance helping with cooking and baking. The tablets are also used for looking up information and supporting resident’s interests, it provides so many opportunities for the residents to live more independently.”

Julie added: “We also now have access to apps which help to provide fantastic support for the specific needs of people who live at Kirkgate House. For instance, our residents who are on the autistic spectrum benefit from sensory apps including colour, shapes, music and speech. We have also found that those with dementia can access a wide range of material to aid reminiscence therapy, such as old films, music and photographs.”

Penni Brown, chief executive of Hica Group said: “The donation of the tablets to all of the Hica learning disability homes is the perfect example of why we have the Shine Fund. The smallest acts of kindness and fundraisers can make a huge difference by going towards technology to aid and support residents care.”

The Hica Group’s Shine Fund is topped up regularly through fundraising efforts of those involved in the organisation. Staff, residents and the local community often take part in sponsored walks, bake sales and fayres, as well as a company-wide lottery. The money goes towards items to support residents including tablet computers, reminiscence pods to support residents with dementia and activities.

The Hica Group is a not for profit organisation, which operates a portfolio of 20 residential care homes, five of which are for people with a learning disability, along with two retirement villages. The Hull-based company also runs a home care service providing approximately 11,500 hours of support and care from four regional offices in the North of England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Hica Group .