News

Residents involved in every step of innovative affordable supported housing project by Colne Housing

20/07/2010

Eight residents with learning disabilities now have tailor-made homes to call their own after a new supported living scheme was opened by Colne Housing in Halstead.

The official launch of Elm Tree Court in Colchester Road on Friday 16th July was the culmination of a three-year project which saw 13 residents re-housed from nearby residential care home Nether Priors.

The Essex County Council-run home had been recommended for closure due to the age and design of the building, which was lacking full wheelchair access and was too small to comfortably house its 13 residents.

Colne Housing beat off stiff competition to win a tender to provide supported housing for these residents, five of whom have since settled into two bungalows in Halstead. Meanwhile, the remaining eight residents continued living at the care home until a new three-storey block of supported living accommodation was constructed by Suffolk based builders Elliston Steady & Hawes, overseen by developers Iceni Homes.

Clare Lawrance, Supported Housing Manager of Colne Housing, said the Society had been careful to include the residents’ views wherever possible throughout the project.

She said: “Key members of our staff, supported by colleagues from supported housing provider Papworth Trust, made a presentation using pictures and flash cards to residents and relatives at the start of the project.”

“Since then, the eight residents and their families have been involved in each stage of the process, ensuring that the new accommodation met each of their individual needs.”

During a ‘Choices Day’ last autumn, each resident chose their kitchen units, worktops and handles, bathroom and kitchen floors, carpets, wall colours and the colour of their front doors. The residents also chose the name of the new building, Elm Tree Court, after a tree that had been removed from the site.

Such person-centred practice resulted in the project being one of just three schemes from the east of England shortlisted in the National Housing Federation’s 2010 ‘What We Are Proud Of’ awards.

These awards celebrate the innovative schemes that housing associations develop each year, showcasing how projects are developed with the wider community in mind and the positive impact they can have on residents and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Colne Housing Chairman Bill Frame said: “We were delighted to have been a finalist for this prestigious award, and we are truly proud of this project. It just shows the hard work and commitment our staff put into building relationships with residents, and the success of the scheme as a whole.”

The opening ceremony of Elm Tree Court was conducted by Essex County Council Chairman, Cllr Rodney Bass, along with Cabinet Member for Adults’ Health and Community Wellbeing, Cllr Ann Naylor.

Cllr Naylor said: “This is a marvellous project for Halstead and means the residents are now able to live independently for the first time. They can play an active role in their local community, but feel confident that help is at hand if needed.”