Situated on the west side of Aberdeen and roughly two miles from the city centre, Raeden Court is a modern housing complex designed to provide accommodation for people with physical disabilities within an integrated community setting. Opened in 1983, it includes homes developed for wheelchair users and people who have limited mobility. There are also flats for senior citizens or for people without disabilities. Raeden Court is close to accessible local shops, health centres, a community centre, library and both primary and secondary schools. Both Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital are less than a mile away.

The Supported Accommodation Unit provides support to people with severe physical disabilities. Prospective residents should be aged between 18 and 60. We ask that they make their own informed decision about accepting a tenancy or resident agreement and be motivated and committed to living as independently as possible. In return, we provide a high level of flexible assistance by professionally trained staff. This is available on a 24-hour basis. There are fourteen fully self-contained studio apartments, each comprising a bedsitting room with en-suite shower and toilet facilities. Residents can install their own telephones. Automatic door openers and other adaptations can be provided to suit individual needs. The Unit also has two purpose-built bathrooms.

Raeden Court's Supported Accommodation Unit is designed and managed to allow residents privacy and choice within a secure and supportive environment. Staff work with residents to enable independent living and, where the residents decide, to help them to move on to a more independent lifestyle in their own home.

For residents of the Supported Accommodation Unit there is a pleasant dining room serving meals to suit a wide range of tastes. Additionally, there is a sitting room and a small lounge equipped with a kitchen where residents can make snacks or cook their own meals. There are also two charging rooms for powered wheelchairs.

Housekeeping. As well as cleaning all communal areas throughout Raeden Court, the domestic staff provide a home help service to residents of the Supported Accommodation Unit.

Social Work. The Supported Accommodation Unit is registered to provide residential care services.

Respite Care. One fully furnished studio apartment in the Supported Accommodation Unit is used as a respite facility and for assessment purposes by people considering a permanent stay. Applications for the respite facility are welcomed from people throughout Scotland.

Caring for Residents. As well as having the security of 24-hour care from a professionally trained team on hand, residents in the keyworker system Margaret Blackwood supported accommodation can depend on the familiar and friendly help that comes from our "keyworker" system. Residents each have the services of a "key" identified member of staff with whom they can discuss their particular needs. This keyworker, in co-ordination with other staff, helps to support the resident work towards his or her individual goals. Residents and keyworkers also develop support plans which are detailed programmes of care and support tailored to meet individual needs.

Personal choice. We encourage residents to take an active part in the democratic approach decisions affecting the daily life of their Unit. Regular meetings are held where people can raise issues and ideas and be involved in any decisions that need to be made. Tenants, and especially residents of the Supported Accommodation Unit, participate in staff selection.

Sheltered Flats. There are twenty-six wheelchair standard flats which flats are available to people with a wide range of physical disabilities who are aged between 18 and 64 when they move to Raeden Court. These one and two person flats have kitchens and bathrooms designed to suit the needs of the principal user. They are linked to the Supported Accommodation Unit's call system so that tenants can obtain emergency help at any time. Regular support services are provided from community sources.

Independent Bungalows and Ground-Level Flats. There are six bungalows and two flats built to wheelchair standards and designed for families where one or more members has a physical disability. Sizes range from flats with one double bedroom suitable for a couple or a single person up to three bedrooms suitable for a family of six. Again, kitchens and bathrooms are designed to suit the needs of the principal user. Car ports provide excellent weather protection for wheelchair users. The Association does not normally provide support to these homes and any care needs are met by the local Social Work Department or by the District Nurse.

Mainstream. Of the 62 flats at Raeden Court, 14 are designed for flats senior citizens or for people without a disability. These properties are let to people nominated by Aberdeen City Council's Housing Department and, in this instance, applications should be made direct to the Housing Department and not to Raeden Court.

Additional Facilities. The Unit has a large recreation room and a well-equipped laundry which can be used by all residents and tenants. There is also a fully furnished guest room which is available for a nominal cost for friends and relatives of residents who wish to stay overnight.

Maintenance. A handyman is available on weekdays to carry out day-to-day maintenance and offer advice to both residents and tenants. At other times defects can be reported to the Duty Manager, who will arrange emergency repairs if required.

Transport. We have two minibuses suitable for people in wheelchairs and local taxi firms also have vehicles adapted to accommodate wheelchair users. There are good local bus services and bus stops are close by.