Laura lives alone for the first time

Laura Raths turns the key in the lock and opens the door. What emerges are freshly painted white walls and a wooden floor in a warm brown-grey. The young woman is beaming: She is going to move into this flat. She is one of the first residents of the Integrative Multigenerational Neighbourhood (IMQ) in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Bethel has bought eleven flats in the building to rent out to people with cognitive impairments and acquired brain damage.

The concept is called "Living and Assistance". It is aimed at adults who require intensive support but still want to live independently in their own home. Bethel.regional offers tenants the security of round-the-clock care and assistance with their lifestyle and social participation. "For example, we help people with shopping, preparing meals and doing what they like to do in their free time," explains area manager Doris Hein. "We tailor our work to the tenants' personal needs and wishes."

"I'm very happy that I now have my first flat of my own," says Laura Raths. The 38-year-old previously lived with her parents. The search for accommodation where she could develop greater independence with support proved difficult. Ultimately, she wanted to continue living in her home town. However, there was no suitable accommodation for her in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler for a long time. "It was very frustrating," admits her mother Roswitha Raths-Ley.

It wasn't until Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler's bid for the 2023 State Garden Show that things started to move. In order to win the bid, those responsible in the town endeavoured to create new offers for people with disabilities. This led to ideas for the "Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg" and the IMQ, which Remagen graduate engineer Kay Andresen finally realised with Bethel. "Fortunately, Bethel got involved here," says Roswitha Raths-Ley. "Otherwise nothing would have come of it."

The State Garden Show was cancelled after the flood disaster in July 2021, and the IMQ also suffered damage. The building was still under construction when the water overflowed the banks of the River Ahr, which was only around 150 metres away, and devastated large parts of the city. Completion was therefore delayed by six months. She is not afraid of another flood, says Laura Raths. She feels safe in her flat on the first floor.

Roswitha Raths-Ley can feel her daughter's anticipation in the days leading up to the move. But how is she feeling herself? "My heart sometimes asks: Can Laura do it? But my mind says: It's the right thing to do. Because it's the right offer and it's the right time. After all, I'll soon be 67." Roswitha Raths-Ley endeavours to be confident, and sometimes she also feels a sense of anticipation. Especially for Laura's new independence. But also for the housewarming party.

Text: Philipp Kreutzer | Photos: Thomas Richter