Supported Living
Growth was a key theme for our supported living team in 2022-23, as our teams looked to expand on what we offer and help more people facing a huge range of challenges.
Up and down the country, our teams have been adapting and expanding the support we offer to make sure that we can help as many people as possible, working on projects that tackle homelessness, support refugees, give domestic abuse survivors somewhere to turn and more.
Working with local authorities, we’ve been able to continue our work in setting up safe and secure accommodation for people experiencing difficulties, giving them the space they need to be themselves and get the help they need to find a place to call home again.
Our work with Herefordshire County Council, for example, has helped 10 people with a history of homelessness to settle in their own home, with more support to sustain their tenancies.
With funding from the Herefordshire Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme, we’ve also been able to buy three new homes for previously homeless people to give them a fresh start. Gary, who moved into one of the new homes, said that his new home would make it easier for him to see his daughters and do activities like baking with him.
Building on the success of the Warm Hub projects delivered in our retirement living schemes, our supported living warm hubs are giving our supported living customers a place to get hot food and drink as well as giving them a chance to connect with each other and talk to us about any issues they’re having which our team can help with.
We’ve also continued to support refugees arriving from countries experiencing conflict, with our team organising specialist accommodation and arranging regular events, food and clothing collections and support for people arriving in the UK with nothing.
of customers living in our refuges felt they had the right support and felt safer while staying with us
customers moved on from supported living service to more independent housing
Domestic abuse support
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone at any time, and so that we can help as many people as we can, we have been developing more specialist refuges for people that need us.
In 2022-23, we created more dedicated housing for domestic abuse survivors with complex needs such as those with children, those with pets, those with specific accessibility requirements and also for male domestic abuse survivors.
Three new refuges were also created in Swindon, Herefordshire and Bedford, including a 22-bed home for women and young children fleeing domestic abuse.
Leading up to Christmas 2022, staff at Brighton set up an Amazon wish list for customers and, after being shared on social media, received over 900 parcels. The women and children in the refuge had Christmas and Birthday presents, as well as new items for their homes to really help them thrive.
Inside the Brighton Refuge
Take a look at the work of our team at the Brighton Refuge, where customers arrive with whatever bags they can carry and we help them to rebuild their lives.