History timeline
Following the ground breaking work by Professor Jack Tizard in London, who concluded that the quality of life for children with learning disabilities is greatly improved if a homely style of care and support is provided, Isobel and Tom Murdoch purchase Broadmeadows Estate near Symington to create a stimulating living environment for their daughter Lindy and other young people with similar support needs.
1962
Following the ground breaking work by Professor Jack Tizard in London, who concluded that the quality of life for children with learning disabilities is greatly improved if a homely style of care and support is provided, Isobel and Tom Murdoch purchase Broadmeadows Estate near Symington to create a stimulating living environment for their daughter Lindy and other young people with similar support needs.
1963
Hansel organisation is registered as a charity, the name being chosen as it means ‘a gift for a new beginning’.
1964
The first log cabin dormitories are constructed within Broadmeadows, known as Hansel Village at the time, for 34 residents with further new accommodation planned for the following year. Building of a shop, clinic and other amenities commenced, with further additions to Hansel Village over the next three years.
1965
Employment opportunities are established with the opening of gardening, knitwear and pottery sheltered workshops, and planned launch of a laundry operation.
1976
Further living accommodation is completed allowing the number of young people residing and working within Hansel Village to increase to 99.
1987
Lindy’s sister, Blanche Nicolson, first appointed as a Hansel Governor in 1979, joins the management team in a senior care role and goes on to be awarded an MBE for her lifelong commitment to people with learning difficulties and their families, and is the first Ayrshire citizen to receive the globally recognised Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.
1990s
In response to new Government care in the community legislation, residents choosing to move on from Hansel Village accommodation are supported to consider alternative Ayrshire community-based living options.
1993
Hansel’s commercial laundry service relaunches in a newly purpose built premises, providing more employment opportunities for people with additional support needs.
1994
Hansel’s Governors commit to reducing residential numbers within Hansel Village, exploring potential for further community-based models of care. For residents choosing to remain in Hansel Village accommodation, a programme of demolition, refurbishment and new build would be required to provide improved living options and greater choice overall.
1996
Extensive residential service building work takes place with the redevelopment of Wilson House and the opening of Crail House within Hansel Village, alongside the purchase of Shawburn in Prestwick for nine residents.
1998
The Cabin opens in Hansel Village, offering much needed respite and emergency support services.
1999
In furthering the organisation’s increasing emphasis on care in the community, the Hansel Village site reverts to its original Broadmeadows Estate name, with the charity identity also changing to Hansel Foundation (parent) and Hansel Alliance (subsidiary service provider).
2001
Further residential accommodation is completed at Broadmeadows and The Courtyard opens, for 11 adults in small group living accommodation, and a further six in single or shared tenancies.
2007
New-build Meadow View accommodation, which was donated by a local builder, opens at Broadmeadows, providing a spacious home for four young people living with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
2008
The former recreation hall within Broadmeadows is converted into a new tearoom, Lindy’s, which is open to the general public as well as becoming the hub of the estate for residents, staff and visitors. The tearoom is named in memory of Lindy Murdoch.
2014
Our Space at the Baird Centre opens, offering indoor and outdoor places for people to meet, learn, participate and volunteer.
2014
Hansel’s Broadmeadows site receives a much welcome make-over funded through Transport Scotland’s upgrade of the adjacent A77 trunk road.
2018
Lindy’s gets a makeover! Volunteers gathered to transform the outside of the Hansel tea room, Lindy’s. The new colour was selected by public vote in which many of the people we support, their families, our supporters and team members voted. The transformation was made possible thanks to Crown Paints, Tower Tools, GAP, the Royal Bank of Scotland and many other volunteers.
2019
Members of the Galleon Curling Club reached a fundraising milestone at the 30th anniversary of their curling bonspiel, traditionally held on the last Monday of January. “Hansel Day” first started back in 1989 and has since raised over £102,000 in aid of Hansel. Their committee members were presented with a salver to mark their fundraising milestone and grateful thanks from everyone at Hansel.
2020
The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound effect on everyone at Hansel. We were forced to adapt the way we live our lives and deliver our services and many sacrifices were made to keep the most vulnerable people in our communities and each other safe.
2021
Four caravans are added to our respite services and North Ayrshire Council move their respite service to Red Rose House in Stevenston. Based at Broadmeadows the caravans offer another alternative to our adult residential respite accommodation whilst residents in North Ayrshire have the option of residential respite at the newly opened Red Rose House where Hansel deliver the service on behalf of North Ayrshire Council.
2021
Hansel launches a refreshed website and brand logo which is an evolution of the Hansel figure. A combination of the Hansel figure with a soaring bird the logo and the strapline “Freedom to Live” reflects what Hansel stands for; equality, opportunity, diversity and inclusion. The logo captures a joyful person embracing the quality of their life, and being free to live the life they choose!