ADULTS with learning difficulties could be helped to live more independent lives within the community, at a new unit in Oswaldtwistle, if plans are given the go-ahead.
A change of use planning application has been submitted to Hyndburn Council for the Country Kitchens showroom, in Union Road, for a family style residential unit, for adults aged 18 to 65.
Hyndburn company Pathways NW Ltd, wants to use the building to teach the residents life skills such as how to pay bills and cook for themselves to enable them to eventually live either totally independently in their own flat, or independently with some support from carers.
The unit would have a maximum of seven residents, although care home manager Claire Mason believes this is more likely to be five or six, will probably be women only, and will be for people aged 18 to 65.
She said: "It would be for people who have not had the opportunity to learn life skills or have not been able to practice them.
"The users would be people from the local community, referred to us by social services.
"They may have lived with family who have looked after them for a long time and they have not been able to practice life skills; its about integrating them into the community."
The unit would use occupational therapy type teaching from 14 members of staff, some of which will be recruited from Oswaldtwistle, and will be full and part time.
Pathways runs three other units in Hyndburn, two in Accrington and one in Great Harwood.
The application will be decided at a future planning committee meeting.
