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.

Hansel timeline 1962

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.

Hansel timeline 1963

1963

Hansel organisation is registered as a charity, the name being chosen as it means ‘a gift for a new beginning’.

Hansel timeline 1964

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.

Hansel timeline 1965

1965

Employment opportunities are established with the opening of gardening, knitwear and pottery sheltered workshops, and planned launch of a laundry operation.

Hansel timeline 1976

1976

Further living accommodation is completed allowing the number of young people residing and working within Hansel Village to increase to 99.

Hansel timeline 1987

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.

Hansel timeline 1990s

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.

Hansel timeline 1993

1993

Hansel’s commercial laundry service relaunches in a newly purpose built premises, providing more employment opportunities for people with additional support needs.

Hansel timeline 1994

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.

Hansel timeline 1996

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.  

Hansel timeline 1998

1998

The Cabin opens in Hansel Village, offering much needed respite and emergency support services. 

Hansel timeline 1999

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).

Hansel timeline 2001

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.

Hansel timeline 2007

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).

Hansel timeline 2008

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.

Hansel timeline 2013

2013

Hansel celebrates 50 years of supporting people across Ayrshire.

Hansel timeline 2014

2014

Our Space at the Baird Centre opens, offering indoor and outdoor places for people to meet, learn, participate and volunteer.

Hansel timeline 2014

2014

Hansel’s Broadmeadows site receives a much welcome make-over funded through Transport Scotland’s upgrade of the adjacent A77 trunk road.

Hansel timeline 2018

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. 

Hansel timeline 2019

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.

Hansel timeline 2020

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. 

Hansel timeline 2021

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!

To be continued…