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Our History

The Cheshire Homes Society of British Columbia (CHSBC) was incorporated on October 2, 1973 (No.10478) as a charitable, not-for profit society by a group of individuals interested in providing support to persons with disabilities under the guiding principles of Group Captain Lord Leonard Cheshire.

Leonard Cheshire Disability (UK) was founded by Group Captain Lord Leonard Cheshire of Woodhall, a decorated war hero, who, in 1948 established the first Cheshire Home for disabled veterans near London England. Lord Cheshire’s belief was that all disabled people should have the maximum opportunity to determine every aspect of their own lives.

Leonard Cheshire

CHSBC is a member of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance providing services to people with disabilities in 54 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Together we support 250 independently managed disability organizations that, in turn, support people with disabilities in their efforts to secure education, livelihoods, health care, rehabilitation and a voice in their society.  The Global Alliance strengthens existing community services by sharing ideas of best practices and innovations in the area of disability and development, as well as initiating and managing innovative and effective new programs. One of the Global Alliance’s international initiatives, Young Voices, mobilizes people under 26 in 18 countries to push for ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

 

As consultants to the United Nations, the Leonard Cheshire Global Alliance also moves the issue of disability higher up the world political and development agendas.

The CHSBC Board of Directors President, Mr. David Anderson, is the National and Americas Regional Chairperson. As a result, within the Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance, CHSBC currently coordinates information through our office to the other organizations within Canada, as well as the countries within the Americas region.

 

CHSBC has been governed since its incorporation by a Board of Directors made up of a diversely qualified group of professionals including individuals with disabilities.

In 1984, the Board of Directors of CHSBC identified a lack of appropriate care facilities for adults with acquired brain injury in British Columbia. King Edward House, the first CHSBC facility, opened with assistance from the Workers Compensation Board and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The program was designed as a licensed wheelchair accessible transitional rehabilitation residence for up to six clients recently discharged from hospital. It provides clients with intensive, short-term structured programs to address their social, cognitive, emotional and life skill needs, as well as community integration.  King Edward House often accommodates clients discharged from hospital who are experiencing difficulties establishing themselves with families and society.

Larkin House opened in 1991. Larkin House is a wheelchair accessible group home located in Port Coquitlam. This home was one of the first of its kind to provide intensive care for medically challenged adults who have sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and physical disabilities.  The current clients are non-verbal and have very complex care needs. The program has the ongoing support of an RN, OT and dietician who guides the care plans for the clients. The house is fitted with a ceiling lift system and custom bath, to ensure that the staff can meet the client care needs. A wheelchair equipped van is available for all off site appointments, swimming programs etc.

In 1991, Graham House (located in Burnaby) was opened, followed by Lloyd House In 1996. Lloyd and Graham Houses were closed in September 2012, as needs dictated and new programs were developed.

In 2000, CHSBC identified a need to provide slower stream rehabilitation programs for clients who required additional time to adapt to community living. Bodie and Dunbar Houses were opened in Burnaby near the Metrotown area to address this need. The homes are staffed 24 hours per day.

As clients of our transitional, slower stream and 24 hour supported apartments began graduating into the community, it became clear that there was a need for an integrated apartment based program. CHSBC began providing apartment based support to clients towards the end of the 1990’s.

The Fraser Heights Apartments Program was established in Vancouver in 2002. In 2006, following an RFP process, Vancouver Coastal Health began globally funding this program. The program capitalizes on shared and tenant support whereby direct, and indirect services are offered to clients in an integrated community based setting. The apartments are located a short distance from King Edward House and are close to shopping, hospital services, recreation centers and transit. The program supports 15 clients in their own apartments within the building. CHSBC operates an on-site office at the Fraser Heights Apartments Program location that doubles as a “drop in”. Rehabilitation Care Workers support the clients, with supervision from the Program Manager and Program Coordinator of the Program. 

In 2005, Community Support Services was established to address a need for support for clients living in their own homes.  The program grew and subsequently CHSBC provides services to approximately 70 clients living in their own homes from Vancouver to Hope.

In 2008, CHSBC opened the Bonsor Apartments Program in Burnaby, in 2011 the East 7th Apartments Program was established in East Vancouver, and in 2014 the Langley Timbers Apartments Program was opened in Langley. All of these programs parallel the Fraser Heights Apartments program and are seen as a necessary step prior to living independently in the community.

Over the years CHSBC’s programs have continued to grow depending on client need. 

Partnerships have been developed with building owners to develop apartment based programs and, together, we are delivering positive outcomes by empowering clients to successfully rebuild their lives following a brain injury or disability. We believe that a combined partnership provides a sustainable and cost effective option for people living with a brain injury. 

Over the years CHSBC has worked with Worksafe BC, Workers Compensation Board of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Crime Victims Assistance Program, ICBC, S.A.A.Q. (Quebec Insurance), Manitoba Auto Insurance and Health Authorities both in British Columbia and other provinces. 

 

 

Contact information

Cheshire Homes Society of BC
101A-3920 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 4K7
Tel: 604-540-0686
Fax: 604-540-0684

Have a Question?

Call: 604-540-0686
Fax: 604-540-0684
Email: admin@cheshirehomes.ca

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