Everyone should have a safe and affordable place to call home. And for some, that’s only made possible with supported housing.
To mark Starts at Home Day, which focuses on the value supported housing brings to our communities, we asked residents and staff from Southern Housing’s care and support services, to share their experiences of supported housing.
GG, a resident in one of our supported schemes on the Isle of Wight, said: “I recently moved into a supported housing scheme, I have autism and struggle to communicate when I’m feeling low or anxious. The staff here have supported me incredibly well and I feel very safe.
“Staff worked with me to create a colour coded system to display on my front door, this tells staff about my mood before entering my flat. I can be full of energy, and they match that when I need it. When I’m feeling low, the staff know to use a soft, quiet voice and to allow me more time. It’s important to form relationships with staff to establish trust and set boundaries. This is the best place I’ve ever lived, and I hope I can stay here for the rest of my life.”
Jemma Gatward-Moore, a Scheme Manager at one of our supported homes believes supported housing is an essential service in our communities, which needs further support from the government.
“I’ve worked at a supported home for teenagers and I’m currently working at supported home for over 55s. I’ve seen how it can really impact lives. For the younger generation, it helps them find somewhere to work and live, build a future and support them in adjusting to adulthood. For older people, it helps them continue to be independent and not lose part of themselves, often preventing them from moving into nursing/care homes sooner than needed.”
Between 2023 and 2024, Southern Housing supported 72% of residents in its temporary homeless service, to move into independent homes, whilst 84 residents were supported into training and/or employment.
Sophie, a young person who accessed our temporary and move on services said: “I learnt so much living in supported accommodation, I gained important life skills which built my independence. This year I took the big step to move into my own flat. I feel very independent now and in control of my own decisions.”
And the service is as imperative for older people, as it is for the younger generation.
Extra care resident, Sheila, tragically lost her leg in an accident and during her long recovery in hospital, she often felt she didn’t want to live anymore. She worried about her 90-year-old visually impaired mum, who she had always lived with, being alone.
Unable to return to her home, due to it being unsuitable for her mobility and equipment, a referral was made to extra care, for a two-bed home, so mum and daughter could be reunited. The move was life changing for both.
Sheila’s mum sadly passed away, but she was comforted knowing that her daughter was happy and supported to be able to live as independently as possible.
Starts at Home Day is a chance to ensure supported housing is recognised as a vital part of the housing, health, social care and criminal justice systems.
Without a long-term plan for supported housing, thousands could miss out on the support they need, costing the public purse and leaving people, who could live independently with support, facing long stays in residential or institutional care, or at risk of homelessness. Indeed, a long-term plan for housing, must include a long-term plan for supported housing.
Image depicts, Sheila a supported living resident