Families' stories
For the families of the residents of Kew Residential Services, the Redevelopment has been a period of major change, and sometimes concern about what the move will be like, especially as many residents have lived at the former Kew Cottages since childhood. Families have been given opportunities to be fully involved in the planning process for their relative. An independent evaluation of the views of some of the families, one year after the transition for their relative has given an 'overwhelmingly positive' picture of the change.
The report, which looked at the first year following the transition, included these comments from families:
"… He’s quite happy. We can see it ourselves. He is a different person. Now we both leave each other happy after a visit. He used to get uptight when I left him at Kew." (A mother and father).
"… She has blossomed here. It’s just like she used to be when she was at home. I think Elizabeth feels she’s at home… She’s more outgoing now. She sits and looks at John and Keith [staff members] like she did her brothers. Back at Kew she was more subdued. If I took her out, or she came to my home, when I took her back she didn’t like it. Here it doesn’t worry her. I think she’s settled and at peace." (A mother)
"… At first he was upset, then I explained that he’s going to have a home just like I’ve got a home. He was all right after that. Now if I ask him if he wants to go back to Kew Cottages he says no." (An aunt)
Initial Review of the Kew Residential Services Redevelopment: Preliminary Report - Gary Radler (PDF, 313KB)