Cabrini
in Healy Dri
ve, Orpington is a small community providing long-term care for
young Cabrini Residential in Healy Drive, Orpington is just a brief walk from Holy Innocents'. It is a small community which provides long-term care for young and middle-aged handicapped people. It occupies three houses which were originally constructed in the 1950’s as children’s homes.
Cabrini Residential offers a homely environment and welcomes those of all faiths and backgrounds. Currently there are 16 permanent residents and 1 respite place can be given, depending on the availability of a bed.
No. 1 Healy Drive is used for providing services for adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities and special needs. It has accommodation and facilities for up to 8 adults.
No. 2 Healy Drive is a centre for various activities held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is available to non-residents. Upstairs it has accommodation for staff and downstairs provides daytime activities for Cabrini residents.
No. 3 Healy Drive provides accommodation and services for adults who are able to lead a “semi-independent” life-style. However staff support is still available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No. 3 also provides accommodation and facilities for up to 8 adults.
Cabrini Residential is part of the Cabrini Children’s Society (Arundel & Brighton, Portsmouth and Southwark). The community is led by the long-time Management Officer John Aleppo.
In the mid-1960’s an inter-parish group was founded, known as the Catholic Handicapped Children’s Fellowship. By the early 1970’s the group, inspired by the Holy Innocents' Parish Priest, the late Father Phelan and including Dr Kenneth Seagar, Peggy Cornwell and Joan Clare had an initial idea of opening a short-stay home to provide respite care for the physically handicapped. Substantial support was received from elsewhere in the Diocese.
To begin this work the Southwark Catholic Children’s Fellowship was registered by the Diocese and a vacant convent in Honor Oak Road, Forest Hill was donated by the Order of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The new home was named after the founder of the order, Mother Francesca Cabrini. The energetic Dr Seagar raised some £27,000 to furnish the premises.
Unfortunately the venture was troubled with financial problems caused by heavy operational costs. In 1987 Cabrini moved from Forest Hill to Orpington and the following year the Catholic Children’s Society assumed full responsibility for Cabrini. At this time extra funds raised by Dr Seagar were also invested in the Healy Drive property. In 2009 the Catholic Children’s Society was re-named the Cabrini Children’s Society and Cabrini became Cabrini Residential.
CONTACT:
Cabrini Residential
1 Healy Drive
Orpington
Kent BR6 9LB
Tel: 01689 891401
e-mail: residential@cabrini.org.uk