Two young people with profound and multiple disabilities hosted a party to thank people who helped them get their own home, writes Suzanne Huband.

Gemma Roast and Katy Jones, who are both 20, are renting their own new and specially-adapted bungalow in Lyneham Close, Witney, from Shaftesbury Housing Association.

Gemma's mother, Jan Roast, said: "They are purchasing their own care from Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust.

"This has been possible because they are among the first in the country with such profound needs to receive statutory payments directly which allows them to buy their own 24-hour residential care and support." Mrs Roast and Katy's mother, Wendy Jones, have been working for this for two and a half years.

"It's been a lot of hard work but it is wonderful.

"The girls are enjoying their new life.

"It's a big leap but we are convinced it will pay off.

"This particularly exciting scheme, which allows the girls more control over their own lives than current conventional schemes at no extra expense, has been supported by Oxfordshire Social Services, whose willingness to try something new has been instrumental in getting it off the ground," said Mrs Roast. Gemma comes from Woodstock and Katy from Carterton and they were both pupils at Witney's Springfield School.

The parents of the girls are closely involved and have formed a trust to ensure their daughters are living as they would choose.

Mrs Roast said: "We held the party to thank the many people who have helped them achieve the dream of living in their own home in the local community."

Story date: Wednesday 01 December

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