History
John Dean, Cora Dean and Judi Reid were the driving force behind this process and they are still involved with Montagu on a family basis.
In the beginning there was one house with four residents who boarded there part-time (weekdays). The other time was spent at home with their families. Eventually, after a bit of coming and going of other children four permanent residents came together, although one of these resident's moved out to independent living in 2000 with another taking her place in 2001.
In 1991 Montagu commenced support of three more children at a house in Kingston. In August 1992, they moved to their new home at Glenorchy. This house had one respite bed. After some time the respite bed was made a permanent home for a resident who had been one of the respite users. In 1998 this resident moved out and in 1999 another moved in.
As Montagu was considered a service that supported children the organisation had to re-examine its purpose; as the residents were fast becoming adults. A meeting was held with all interested parties; i.e. the residents, their families and friends, staff, Board of Management, Case Management etc., where it was decided that the children could consider the house their home and they could stay as long as they wished. Therefore, Montagu would need to undergo a process of transition to support the residents to do this.
In 1996, Montagu supported a teenage girl in a unit with staff living in. Unfortunately, this was only for a short time, as Disability Services could not support the continued funding of the project.
The tradition of supporting children continued with the opening of the third Montagu house in February, 1997, with four more children. It was a momentous occasion for both the residents and the organisation due to the fact that it was another child's shared home and the whole culture and structure of Montagu was beginning to change. In 2001, one of the then young adults moved out and was replaced with another child.
A new initiative for Montagu came at the end of 1999 with the commencement of the Tenancy Support Program; that is, providing in-home respite with support for a young boy and his family. This project successfully concluded in April 2000.
Then, with the start of the new millennium, Montagu was offered another new initiative, with the commencement of the Personal Support Program. It is Montagu's role to manage the project in conjunction with the person. This has included providing support to the person to be able to live independently in their own home.
In September 2005 Montagu's fourth house came to fruition with the commencement of another shared home for young adults. The residents in this new home have assisted other existing residents to come together and share experiences by inviting them into their home and maintaining lasting friendships.
Through the years Montagu have supported many short-term clients within their home and community. All clients have made a positive impact on the growth and development of Montagu by ensuring the organisation is viable and progressive.