A new residential home for people with profound and multiple disabilities has opened in Hastings. Mary House will provide care for eight young people, several of whom come from Hastings and East Sussex.

The opening of the home has been eagerly awaited by many families who have battled for 10 years to find their children somewhere suitable to live. Darren Moore, who is 21, has been cared for at home by his grandfather Ray Moore since he was 5 years old. Mr. Moore welcomes the opening of the home with joy and relief. Mr. Moore commented “I am delighted that Mary House has opened, and that Darren will be one the residents. I cannot go on looking after Darren on my own forever and I am relieved that his long term future is now secure. I know Darren will receive the care he deserves at Mary House and as I live locally, I can visit Darren whenever I like”.

Another East Sussex parent, Mrs Maskell is hopeful that her daughter Samantha Preston will be one of the residents at Mary House. Mrs Maskell commented “Our biggest worry as parents is what will happen to our children when we can no longer care for them. I need to know that my daughter Samantha is happy and safe and receives the best level of all-round care. At Mary House she will live with other young people and will enjoy a social life and a high level of stimulation. Surely this is something that all young people want and need?”

Mary House which is situated on The Ridge in Hastings is now owned by Martha Trust, a charity which runs two similar homes in Kent. The project to build a residential home in Hastings was initiated by the Mary Trust - a group of local parents who worried about the future for their disabled children. Unfortunately insufficient funds were raised and the project remained unfinished for just over 2 years.

Last year the Mary Trust approached Martha Trust for help and over the last 12 months, staff at Martha Trust have raised over £750K to complete the purpose built home in Hastings. Martha Trust is a Christian based charity, which aims to provide first class lifelong care for adults and children with profound and multiple disabilities.

The keys to the home, which was built by East Sussex builders Quadric, were formally handed over this week to Martha Trust’s Chief Executive, Graham Simmons. Mr. Simmons said “Mary House has been built to a high specification, and we are delighted with it. The home provides eight young people with lots of space, and up-to-date specialised equipment along with a range of sensory and therapy rooms.”

Mr. Simmons continued “We have been fortunate to recruit a high calibre team to work at Mary House. We have already welcomed our first two residents to the home, and look forward to welcoming the final six young people over the next few weeks.” Mr. Simmons finished by saying “Over the next 2 years we hope to raise more money to build a hydrotherapy pool on site, as this will have enormous benefits for our residents.”