A FORMER old folk's home is being re-opened as a unit for people with mental health problems following a six-month refurbishment programme.
The old Rocklea Home, on Manchester Road, Accrington, will officially open as Crown Lodge, a low-security facility housing a maximum of 12 residents, on Monday. The news dispels widespread rumours that the premises were to house sex offenders.
Staff at the centre will include two doctors, a clinical psychologist and a team of nurses. The residents will be people with learning disabilities who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
No offenders will be housed at the site and Crown Lodge will aim to help the residents develop basic skills such as literacy, numeracy, cooking, laundry and budgeting with the aim of helping them move towards independent living.
The manageress said: "We will basically be looking after men with learning disabilities and vulnerable people. They will be adults who have been sent here from hospitals, mostly for their own protection.
"We won't have any offenders here. It's not even a medium-secure unit. The emphasis is very much on rehabilitation so eventually clients will be able to live independently."
Staff at Crown Lodge are keen to be as open as possible with nearby residents about the services they are offering and anyone living in the area who would like to find out more about the unit can contact the office on 398003.
