We are supporting Starts at Home Day to celebrate the positive impact supported housing has on thousands of lives.
LiveWest supports almost 1,700 customers at any one time in our supported housing services, with a further 3,200 customers living in our accommodation for older people. We work with customers going through difficult transitions, including people who are homeless, leaving care and experiencing mental ill health.
We have a network of foyers across the South West, which support almost 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Working with partners and stakeholders to identify the future needs for young people living in our communities, we provide a flexible and sustainable pathway to independence.
The support on offer includes employability, cooking, financial independence, healthy living, home safety and communication - all designed to develop confidence and resilience.
Our accommodation for people with a learning disability will be bolstered by an additional 20 new homes (to add to over 500 we currently own) in Taunton and South Gloucester.
Our Extra Care schemes provide 186 homes across four schemes from Plymouth to Bath. These are for older people who need some level of care, which is delivered by an on-site care and support provider.
David Davies, our Director of Supported Housing, said: “Our investment in supported housing provides opportunities for our customers to enjoy life and live independently.
“LiveWest has continued to invest in supported housing, including a flagship scheme in Plymouth called the Stirling House, which provides 25 self-build homes for ex service personnel.
“Supported housing provides a safe and secure home that helps people to live independently and to achieve their aspirations.
“Our sheltered and extra-care schemes provide homes for older people and people with disabilities to live independently.
“The Starts at Home campaign has never been more critical in showcasing the sector’s fantastic work.”
Amongst our highlights over the past year was a successful bid to Homes England to fund 150 homes for supported accommodation, including extra care and schemes for people with learning difficulties.
We are also investing in Bristol Foyer accommodation and opportunities for young people with a range of internal works refurbishing the inside of the building as well as replacing all of the windows in the building.
Working in collaboration with our partners, Clarion, Foyer Federation and Inspire Chilli, over 80 young people, their families and support organisations, we arrange the annual ‘Room for Young People’ award celebrations which recognise the positive outcomes our young people are achieving.
The awards cover a variety of categories where two of our customers won the Top Champions for ‘Duck to Water’ Award and Personal Achievement Award.
Lord Richard Best, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, said: “Starts at Home is an important initiative: it reminds us all that a decent home is the first essential for people who need society’s support to live independent and fulfilling lives.
"And to make this is a reality, Government now has the opportunity to place the funding of supported housing on a sound and stable footing."