Spotlight on… Milnab Street Service
We’re shining a spotlight on our Milnab Street service in Crieff to learn more about how the team supports people with a range of needs and helps them achieve their goals.
About the service
Milnab Street is a Hillcrest Futures support service based in Crieff, supporting 12 people with a range of needs including learning disabilities, autism, mental health and dementia.
The team of 15 provides a mix of supported living and outreach support.
Some people need 24-hour support and help with personal care, medication or meals, while others are more independent and just need a bit of support with things like shopping, appointments or planning their week.
Some individuals take part in local groups such as walking clubs, craft sessions, and the popular Tuesday Club – a weekly social group run by Strathearn Building Bridges, where people come together for activities, barbecues, and occasional day trips.
The team also encourages healthy eating, regular exercise and helps individuals plan routines and work towards personal goals.
Recognised for autism support
Milnab Street was recently awarded re-accreditation from the National Autistic Society, showing that the service continues to provide high-quality, person-centred support to people with autism.
Although the accreditation focuses on two individuals, the same care and approach is used with everyone we support.
To achieve the accreditation, the team:
- Helped individuals set personal goals and broke them into small, manageable steps.
- Adapted environments to meet sensory needs.
- Used alternative ways of communication to support people who are non-verbal.
- Maintained routines but allowed flexibility and choice.
Progress and achievements
The people we support at Milnab Street have made great progress over the years.
Three people who used to live in shared housing at Milnab Street moved to more independent homes. This move followed an urgent relocation in 2021, when a neighbouring chimney was found to be at risk of collapse and residents had to leave the building at short notice. With swift support from staff and local organisations, the transition was made smoothly, and all three individuals chose to stay in their new homes rather than return.
Two individuals who previously spent most of their time in their rooms are now joining others in the communal space and doing more in the community. One of them, who is non-verbal, has become more confident in expressing their needs and enjoys regular outings and appointments with staff support.
In their own words
Here’s what some of the people supported by Milnab Street had to say:
Lesley
“I like all the staff here. Becky and Jean are so good to me. They listen if I have problems. Becky helps me go for walks and with my healthy eating because I want to lose weight.
“They help me plan my day using my charts and help me fill in my emotion book every morning and night. I use butterflies – red if I’m not good, yellow if I’m okay, green if I’m very good. They also help me with money. I get £40 a week to go out and visit my boyfriend.”
Brian
“I like music and dancing, and the staff will dance with me. I also like playing pool and I have a competition with the staff where the winner gets a trophy.
“The staff help me with house cleaning – doing the dishes, hoovering and changing my bed. They also help me with food shopping and making my breakfast and dinner.”
Margaret
“The staff help me to have a shower and get dressed in the morning.
“I like to draw and display my pictures in my home. I recently drew a fish that I’ve hung up.”
The team at Milnab Street
The Milnab Street team comes from a mix of backgrounds. Some have years of care experience, others bring personal insight. What they all share is a strong commitment to helping people live better lives.
Staff go above and beyond to support individuals to make their own choices and reach their goals. They also work closely with other professionals like GPs, social workers, psychologists, and therapists to make sure health and wellbeing needs are met.
A recent example of the team’s support was helping a young woman transition from school to adult services. She gained enough confidence to move into her own flat, and the team also supported her mum through the process. One staff member met with her mum regularly, helping her understand what was happening and easing her worries. This made the transition smoother for everyone involved.
Overcoming challenges
Like any service, Milnab Street has faced challenges. One individual who used to be given medication when anxious is now supported in other ways, with great results. They are more confident, communicate better, and enjoy more social time.
The team has also adapted to new systems like Personal Outcome Plans (POP) paperwork and the DM5 digital system. Some staff had little computer experience, but they’ve worked together to learn, and now use the systems daily.
Looking ahead
Milnab Street will soon relocate to a new site – Crieff Services at Ryan Place. Everyone currently in shared homes will move into their own flats, but with a shared garden space where they can still meet and socialise.
This move offers more independence for individuals and a fresh start in a new environment. The team is supporting everyone through the transition, and there’s lots of excitement about what’s to come.
Watch this space for more updates over the next few months.
