Our History
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Our Big Idea!The Argo Trust was established in 1992 and founded upon the shared vision of the parents, families and friends of the residents. After more than 3 years of negotiation - with special mention to Peter McLuskie - building began in April 1995.
Here are some interesting snippets from our archives about the history of Argo. |
Our Big Start!
Argo was originally started by word of mouth – mainly parents who felt there were no future viable options for their profoundly disabled children.
Specifically parents wanted a permanent, safe, and stimulating environment their children could call home for the foreseeable future. More importantly it needed to be near where the families were living themselves – some of their children were in facilities many miles away.
Specifically parents wanted a permanent, safe, and stimulating environment their children could call home for the foreseeable future. More importantly it needed to be near where the families were living themselves – some of their children were in facilities many miles away.
Why 'Argo'?
Inspiration for the name “Argo” was taken from Greek mythology – Jason & the Argonauts. The first resident was to be Jason, sadly he did not live to move into the home due to the length of time it took from inception to opening. The home was regarded as the residents “golden fleece”.
Charitable Status & Early Challenges
Argo Trust was formed in 1991, and registered as a Charitable Trust with an official Trust Deed in 1992. Parents struggled for the next 3-1/2 years to get the house designed, funded and built.
The parents were involved in everything:
All this happened while they raised their other children, worked, and for some, caring for their disabled child at home. Luckily there was youth, enthusiasm and basically no other options at their disposal.
The parents were involved in everything:
- Negotiating with government departments, regional health authorities, community funding agencies, area health boards, and community housing
- Designing, painting, furnishing and landscaping the finished property
All this happened while they raised their other children, worked, and for some, caring for their disabled child at home. Luckily there was youth, enthusiasm and basically no other options at their disposal.
Obstacles & Frustrations
Early on, we were met with understanding the challenging rules, regulations and requirements of potential funders - it was a real learning curve! Constraints and reporting requirements necessary to receive the funding we needed really kept us on our toes. We are so grateful for the funding we were granted.
We became quite politically engaged - from meeting Cabinet ministers, to writing letters, to weekly phone calls - our actions were one big reminder that we were still here and not going away!
These were tough times politically for Argo. We felt a little caught between the Government's desire for deinstitutionalisation and their preference for those leaving the institutions to be moved into larger group homes run by bigger organisations.
A parent-based trust in those days was seen to be outside the square and thought unlikely to succeed as the parents would not have the knowledge to run a quality service.
We became quite politically engaged - from meeting Cabinet ministers, to writing letters, to weekly phone calls - our actions were one big reminder that we were still here and not going away!
These were tough times politically for Argo. We felt a little caught between the Government's desire for deinstitutionalisation and their preference for those leaving the institutions to be moved into larger group homes run by bigger organisations.
A parent-based trust in those days was seen to be outside the square and thought unlikely to succeed as the parents would not have the knowledge to run a quality service.
Breakthrough!
Argo's big break came when the head of Community Housing gave us his personal commitment to make it work (which he followed through with and kept his word on!), renewing parents faith enormously.
Once we had the site (and potentially a building), Government funding, plus support from the community and various charitable trusts helped get the Argo project moving.
Parents and siblings of the residents have really not stopped smiling since the house commenced – in fact if it is possible their smiles become wider each year as every year seems to be better than the last.
To say That Argo Trust has exceeded our expectations would be an understatement!
Once we had the site (and potentially a building), Government funding, plus support from the community and various charitable trusts helped get the Argo project moving.
Parents and siblings of the residents have really not stopped smiling since the house commenced – in fact if it is possible their smiles become wider each year as every year seems to be better than the last.
To say That Argo Trust has exceeded our expectations would be an understatement!
