Staff and residents at Diana Francis House in Caterhamon- the-Hill welcomed a very special guest, Diana Francis herself, to its Open Day on Tuesday, 28th September. The house, opened in April 2003, is designed to equip people between the ages of 18 and 45 who have a physical and/or a mild learning disability, with the skills to enable them to move on to the future accommodation and lifestyle of their choice. Diana, who has been a tetraplegic for 35 years, was the inspiration behind the building of the house where residents can stay up to two years.

In 1981 Diana founded the Tandridge Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB) Club. During her time as chairman of PHAB, Diana became concerned for the welfare of some of the club's members. Diana said: "Some of the people who came to the club lived at home with their elderly parents who cared for them. They were somehow going to have to learn how to cope on their own after their parents had gone. It made me realise they would need somewhere to live which offered support while they learnt the skills required to live on their own."

The specially-adapted house in The Village, Caterham- on-the-Hill can accommodate five people. Residents are assisted in learning life skills by Housing Support workers during office hours, Monday to Friday. Residents each have their own private room in addition to shared facilities including a kitchen, living room and garden.

To find out more about the house and the opportunites it presents, contact Maryam or Sue on 01883 337218.