The scheme has been developed in partnership with three Health and Social Care Trusts to assist with the re-provision of Muckamore Abbey Hospital and underwent a full renovation.

The housing will also provide new accommodation to enable people from the Belfast area to move back closer to their families. The properties have all been designed to provide high quality spacious supported living accommodation with many features being considered with the specific needs of the tenants in mind.

Design features include the latest safety mechanisms such as anti-ligature blinds, assistive technology, and secure private accommodation for the residents to enjoy.

Two of the bungalows are interlinked to provide staff facilities which allow support to be provided for those with more challenging and complex needs. The main house has undergone a complete renovation and has been redesigned to provide accommodation for three individuals in the form of spacious self-contained en suite bedrooms. In addition, within the house there are communal areas for residents to use and enjoy, this includes a large kitchen with cooking facilities, communal lounge area and activities space. There is also separate staff space and office located within the main building which will provide a base for a specialist care support team, with assistive technology to enable staff supporting tenants across the bungalows to remain in close contact with the wider support team.

Externally St Andrews consists of several safe and secure outside areas for residents to enjoy exercise and recreation. The site is sympathetically fenced to allow residents to enjoy the outside green space whilst also allowing them some privacy.

There are a number of large mature trees and shrubs within the scheme which not only add to the privacy for the residents but create a feeling of a large private garden. Additionally, the scheme provides car parking facilities for staff, residents, and visitors, as well as a pick up bay at the front of the property for ease of access when using assistance vehicles. A coded security gate and pedestrian access are also in place to provide additional security for all residing at the scheme.

The refurbishment of St Andrews Bungalows has not only provided much-needed specialist accommodation, but also preserved a little bit of local Mallusk history too.

The main building, which is over 100 years old, was once one of several grand residences in the area built by local mill owners. Constructed by Harry McBride in the early 1900s, the house stayed in the family until 1965 when, upon the death of his daughter Louise – a very active and benevolent member of the community – it was bequeathed to the British Legion, and subsequently owned by the Presbyterian Church, who used it a residential home for older people.

Sadly, in later years the buildings were sold by the church and had fallen badly into disrepair, and many in the community feared demolition – a fate that had befallen many other local historic residences. But thanks to this partnership, and the quality and tasteful refurbishment delivered, these notable buildings have been saved from demolition, given a positive new lease of life, and a little piece of Mallusk history has been secured for future generations.