WWW http://www.vamw.org

About Us

In the beginning

In 1982 a purpose built "home" providing accommodation and support for 12 people with learning disabilities opened in Motherwell.  VAMW House was the founding stone for what was to become over the years VAMW Care – a limited company and registered charity providing care and support to people with learning disabilities in the Motherwell and Wishaw Areas.  The number of people supported by the company steadily increased from its inception to reach a peak in 1993, by this time we supported a total of 55 people. 

Afterwards there was a gradual overall reduction in numbers from this point, due mainly to the committed approach adopted in relation to single room occupancy within our registered accommodation.  

Moving Forward

In more recent times there emerged for us, a realisation that whilst the moves we had taken in this direction were both necessary and commendable, they were not as bold or as far-reaching as they could have been.  With this, came an awareness that through finding a set of habitual solutions to problems, our service has maintained a particular type of culture in relation to habits of thought and practice, which did not best serve the people we were supporting.  It was an uncomfortable awareness and one that prompted our enthusiasm for finding new solutions. 

With the support and encouragement of North Lanarkshire Council we found ourselves in a position to put forward a proposal for a new service in 1999.  The Potential Living project began in July 1999 supporting a young lady who had previously received a service in one of our own registered, residential establishments.  It has since then grown and developed to the point where we are today presently assisting 38 to live in their own homes using a variety of support arrangements, involving full-time and part-time support staff.  We now also provide a day service to 10 individuals. 

The remarkable journey which we embarked upon in 1999 continues with as much excitement and as many fresh challenges as was encountered in the initial development of the project. 

We hope that our service not only provides a much more effective use of public resources which is compatible with the goals of public policy for people with learning disabilities, but is also able to do this using a fundamentally different approach.  An approach based on a concern for the promotion of individualisation, integration and choice while acknowledging that people with learning disabilities can be in charge of their own lives.  

Looking to the Future

Our future aim is to have all services operating within the Supported Living model rather than the Care Home model. 

Although this was a difficult decision, we believe that the true values of promotion of individualisation, integration and choice (person centred planning) cannot be fully implemented until people have their own support networks.  

Expierence tells us that this will be a lengthy process however we do believe this to be the only way forward to ensure that each person we support has the opportunity to be in control of their own life.

Some of our main thoughts for the future are to strive to achieve;

• Better employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities
• To help more individuals form meaningful friendships within their community and not limit friendships to others in similar situations or with staff who support them
• An increased awareness for adult relationships and sexual equality 

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Registered Office: John Thomson House, Glencairn Street, Motherwell, ML1 1TT

Tel: 01698 244344    Fax: 01698 244345    Email: care@vamw.org    Web: www.vamw.org

Registered Company N^o 125649    Registered Charity N^o SC 008731