A supported housing project in Nailsea is about to be
officially re-opened following a major refurbishment.
Tudor House in Watery Lane in the town accommodates and supports
six young people aged 16 to 25 years of age. Referrals are received
from our housing department and social services as well as other
agencies such as Connexions.
The aim of the investment work carried out was to improve the
main house to provide more self-contained accommodation for the
young people, as well as taking the opportunity to install other
measures including a new heating system, replacement windows and
insulation, re-wiring and a new fire alarm system, together with
fitting opaque glass, window restricters and improved
soundproofing.
The refurb work cost £200,000 - with £160,000 coming from
the Homes and Communities Agency and a £40,000 contribution from
us.
Following refurbishment the project is now able to offer five of
the residents their own self-contained bed-sitting room – the sixth
unit of accommodation is a more substantial one-bedroomed flat
(this is used to provide accommodation for young people getting
ready to move out of the project into more independent
accommodation) and meets the mobility standard, allowing
accommodation for a disabled resident.
This means the young people have their own space for living,
sleeping and bathing. Each room now has a modern kitchen area and
shower room.
We own the building, and lease it to Elim Housing to provide the
supported housing for young people.
Executive member for housing, Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, said: "This
refurb should improve the life chances of the vulnerable young
people who live there. I am pleased to see that neighbours have
been consulted and some of their wish list incorporated into the
building refit."
Alistair Allender, Chief Executive of Elim Housing, said: "We
have worked in North Somerset for many years and are proud of the
many homes we have been able to provide for local residents.
"The investment in Tudor House has provided a big step forward
in terms of the quality of accommodation on offer and Elim Housing
is very pleased to have worked in partnership with North Somerset
Council to deliver this vast improvement. Elim Housing appreciates
the financial support from both North Somerset Council and the
Homes and Communities Agency to enable the improvement work to take
place.
"We have taken the opportunity to listen to what our neighbours
have had to say and have put in some extra measures to ensure we
can co-exist as harmoniously as possible."
Each young person has an individually tailored package of
support which they agree with their support worker. Throughout
their stay at the project they are expected to work on the support
needs they have identified, to help them achieve their goals and
prepare for more independent living. The aim of the support
work is to reduce the homelessness cycle and enable someone to
sustain independent living, once they have moved on from the
project.
The project also provides a shared laundry and a communal
meeting room/training facility which gives staff the space to carry
out healthy living workshops (eg cookery and menu planning) as well
as other one to one and group work with the young people, as part
of their skills for life programme.
Find out more about other supported housing schemes in North
Somerset
here.
To see the type of work Elim Housing carries out visit
www.elimhousing.co.uk
