Project Co-ordinator: Kola Ifebajo
Operations and Development Manager: Sarah Colyer
Our partners in running this service: The house is owned by Together
Referrals accepted from: All London boroughs
About the service
Garthowen is a Together-owned and -managed care-home which houses up to 12 adults aged between 20 and 60. The house itself is a large, three-storey Victorian building, situated in a residential area of Chiswick. It retains many of its original features, including beautiful moulded ceilings, fireplaces and stained glass. We have a large garden at the back of the house.
All residents have single bedrooms and share communal areas including a lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Three residents live in ‘independent self-care units’ – a bedsit and a two-bedroom flat within the main house – where people live before moving on to more independent housing.
All the residents are encouraged to get involved in voluntary work, day centres or activities within the local community. Although people stay for various lengths of time depending on their needs, everyone is encouraged to progress to more independent accommodation.
Breakfast and lunch are provided, and residents help prepare one daily shared meal on a rota basis. People living in the flats shop, cook and clean for themselves. Residents meet monthly to discuss and make decisions about what happens in the house. There is a meeting every morning to discuss daily issues and appointments.
People tend to arrange their own holidays and usually travel on their own, but there are group outings, which have included a day-trip to France, picnics at Kew Gardens, and a day at the races. We also have an annual barbecue and a Christmas party.
The staff team is made up of seven workers and a cleaner. At least two social-care staff are on duty at all times during the day, and one person sleeps in at night.
Chiswick is a pleasant, residential area approximately 20 minutes by tube from central London. Local amenities include a large library, a leisure centre with swimming pools, football grounds, cinemas and shops.
More information
To find out more about the service, please contact them direct.