Celebrating milestone at supported living site

Celebrating milestone at supported living site

1 October 2025

DOWNPATRICK’S Slievegrane supported living facility in the grounds of the Downshire estate has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Residents were joined recently by current and former staff to celebrate the special milestone, with the event reflecting Slievegrane’s history and the positive impact it has made on the lives of tenants over the past quarter of a century.

The facility was one of the first to be rolled out in the South Eastern Trust area, providing accommodation for individuals living with mental illness, offering recovery-focused support plans tailored to each tenant’s needs.

Through the expertise of a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team, tenants are supported to maximise their independence in everyday activities such as maintaining their home, shopping, cooking, budgeting, personal care and developing structure to their daily lives. 

The service is responsive to both short-term and long-term goals, supporting individuals to move from hospital care to living confidently in the community.

Robert Magee, one of the first tenants, said living at the facility has given him his independence back.

“It has really made a difference to my life,” he added.

Michelle McCann – who has been at Slievegrane for over a year – said living there has helped her with her confidence.

“I am now able to do so much more for myself,” she said.

“Before I moved here, I would have been questioning myself a lot, but I am now feeling so much more confident. The Slievegrane staff are amazing and  have helped me so much.”

Michelle added: “I have also had the opportunity to meet new people which has been great. Slievegrane is now my home.”

The health trust’s assistant director of community mental health services Fiona Dagg, who attended the celebrations, said it’s “absolutely amazing” to be celebrating 25 years of Slievegrane. 

“This supported living scheme has made such a difference in the community and it is wonderful to be here to celebrate with everyone,” she said.

“Slievegrane is an amazing home where people can live. It’s a ‘real home’ for our tenants and it also provides the opportunity for people to move into the community and live independently.”

The Downpatrick facility’s manager, Christopher Lowry, added: “Slievegrane provides a supported living facility for 26 tenants and it was one of the first to be rolled out in the South Eastern Trust. It is a real home from home for the tenants and it really makes a difference to the lives of everyone who lives here.”