Streamway partners with local Community Living association
Monday August 20, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Streamway Villa and Community Living West Northumberland have a unique partnership, says Streamway’s life enrichment co-ordinator Denise Ansell.

Diane Napper, a 56-year-old resident of the Cobourg long-term care home, is supported by Community Living West Northumberland, an agency advocating for people with intellectual disabilities.

Through this arrangement the two parties saw the opportunity for a community partnership, says Ansell.

The Community Living agency offers a day programming workshop for the people it supports. Napper attends the workshop four times per week, which gives her the chance to spend time with people of her own age and ability.

In return, two people from the Community Living agency come to Streamway to spend time with residents.

One of these individuals, Diane Harding, comes by the home once per week to volunteer her time with resident Isabelle Armstrong. The pair participates in many activities together and they enjoy each other’s company, says Ansell.

“They play card games like crazy eights, they go visit the cat, they water the plants, they toddle along and do things together,” she says.

Armstrong, who used to work as a nurse tending to children with intellectual disabilities, says her prior work gives her the know-how to make Harding feel comfortable when she comes to visit.

“Because I have worked with children and teenagers, I find it nice,” she says.

Ansell adds that she can see the difference it makes in Armstrong’s life having Harding there to spend time with. She notes that because Armstrong has worked with people with intellectual disabilities, it helps stir memories of the work she did when she was younger.

“It’s really good for Isabelle, too,” says Ansell.

The partnership between Streamway and Community Living Northumberland has been going on for several years, notes Ansell, adding that the relationship has benefited both parties.

“Our residents need company and the people from Community Living need activities and need to be engaged,” she says.