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When I arrived at ComCO in October 1993, John Seddon and Ray Bates told me of their vision to build a local company which would represent service-users and their families and create quality services available to all. I saw the ethos develop with a central theme of equality, fairness and inclusion. Whatever a person’s disability, and no matter how complex someone’s behaviour, ComCO aimed not just to provide a service, but to help people to grow and enjoy life.
Firstly at Grosvenor House, and then via our 9 supported living schemes, we enabled many people with complex emotional and psychological needs to return to their home town from out of district placements. It is pleasing to reflect that, almost without exception these people have made a success of community living.
I have countless proud memories of the achievements at ComCO over the years, for service users, staff and the organisation - the successful design of the supported living scheme, the activity programme and more recently the Social Nights.

Once Grosvenor House had closed in 2004, we had a truly memorable party, when people who had lived and worked there celebrated together, and looked forward to a new future. It culminated in a raucous rendition of “Always look on the bright side of life”. Those who were there would know that this theme tune had a meaning for everyone at ComCO - that no matter how big a crisis one of our service-users was suffering, we’d help them through it and look forward to a better day tomorrow.

The Future of our services continues on page 2

John Seddon chairman of the trustees and Ray Bates company secretary sign the agreement watched by Tom Taylor chairman of Bolton Health
authority and Cllr betty Hamer chair of social services with the mayor and Mayoress Cllr Gerald Riley and Mrs Riley

At the launch of the company at a reception in the town hall, the chairman John Seddon, and company secretary Ray Bates were approached by Mr Tom Taylor chairman of Bolton Health Authority and Cllr Betty Hamer chair of Bolton Social Services, about managing a new nursing home for people with learning disabilities who also exhibited challenging behaviour, and an agreement with both authorities was signed at the launch.

The former Moss Nook children’s home was identified for the nursing home and renovation work began. On completion the home was renamed Grosvenor House. The original trustee board was made up of mainly parents from the group, and 25 years later some of the parents are still on the present trustee board.

Local charitable company Community Care Options this month celebrated it’s 25^th year of providing care and support to disabled people in Bolton. The origins of the charity started with a group of parents concerned about the future care of their sons and daughters. The group which was started in 1986 was supported by the then MP for Bolton North East, Peter Thurnham.When the community care act was going through parliament, he advised the members of the group to set up a charity to provide care and support locally.

The late John Seddon and Ray Bates spent some considerable time on behalf of the group negotiating with both Bolton Health authority and Bolton council. Eventually with the help of Peter Thurnham MP and solicitor David Porter, the charitable company was set up in 1991

In 2002 residents of the home began moving into shared homes with small groups, and the staff moved with them for continuity. Over time more disabled people moved into other shared accommodation with a total of ten homes managed by the charity.

ComCO and St Vincents Housing Association developed new properties for residents of Grosvenor House. at Winster Drive, Embla Walk, and a six flat complex called Darren Court.

John Seddon chairman of the trustees named Darren Court after Darren the son of company secretary Ray Bates

Richard first came to Comco at Grosvenor House in 1996. He had just turned 21 at the time. He was very involved with the planning and development of Darren Court and attended Site Meetings regularly. He also used to like to go up regularly with his dad, Alan, to check on progress of the building as the photos show.

Richard moved to Darren Court when it opened in November 2004 and has lived there ever since. It has proved to be perfect for him to have his own flat where he enjoys following his hobbies of computer games and watching DVDs. He’s a big Sci-Fi fan with Star Wars and Doctor Who amongst his favourites. More recently he has become quite a traveller including trips to Africa and Iceland with his Dad
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5 years ago when the Bolton tender process for supported living resulted in a National Provider taking over the contract, Alan and Richard’s mum, Brenda, were amongst the group of Darren Court parents who decided to pool their Direct Payments so that they could commission Comco to continue providing the support at Darren Court. Reflecting back he recalls that fears about how difficult it would be proved groundless. “It was seamless to set up” he recalls. “The Broker, Your Life Your Way, did it all for us”

5 years on another tender process for Bolton Supported Living is about to begin, but this won’t affect Darren Court of course, and Alan is glad of the peace of mind this stability brings. “Richard is enjoying life and it is good to know that he can live here as long as he wants, supported by people he knows well.”