At Abri, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, stable and supportive home. Our commitment to creating vibrant communities is at the heart of everything we do, and it all starts with ensuring that our customers have the security that they need to thrive. That’s why we’re proud to support the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign, which shines a spotlight on the vital role that supported housing plays in transforming lives.
Supported housing is more than just a roof over someone’s head. It's about offering tailored support to help individuals overcome challenges, regain or maintain their independence, and ultimately live life to the fullest. Whether it's supporting someone with a disability to live independently or offering a safe haven to those facing homelessness, supported housing is a lifeline for many.
Abri’s Partnership Living and Independent Living teams support more than 4,000 individuals across various accommodations, from residential care homes to single occupancy flats. We’re dedicated to ensuring their safety and well-being and have dedicated community wellbeing coordinators, too.
Today we’re sharing some inspiring stories from our communities that highlight the real impact of supported housing.
Celebrating Starts at Home
This month we hosted events in two of our Independent Living (housing for older people) schemes, St Gildas (Somerset) in our south west region, and Causeway Farm (Horndean) in our south region, inviting our residents and service providers to join us in celebrating Starts at Home. Along with tasty treats and live singing performances – complete with some dance moves - we were joined by some key stakeholders who used the opportunity to chat with residents about the services they support us in providing. This included Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue who were on hand to chat through fire safety with the residents.
Some residents shared their experiences of living in our schemes:
“I feel secure living at St Gildas. We have regular safety checks such as fire alarm testing and our pendants are also checked. We meet for coffee most mornings. I like having a secure main entrance. I like to join in activities, and I am looking forward to the new seated exercise and fun activities.”
“I’ve lived here for eight years. I feel safe and secure. The staff are very helpful. I know lots of people to speak to and we get on well.’”
A path to independence
At our Orchard Mews Partnership Living scheme, we extended the patio and garden path to make it more accessible for wheelchair users. This improvement has made a significant difference, allowing
residents with mobility challenges to better access and enjoy their outside space – a small change with a big impact.
Here’s what our residents had to say:
“The patio extension at Orchard Mews has had a huge positive impact on the customers living here. Many use wheelchairs or walkers, and the patio gives them the opportunity to go out onto a flat levelled open space safely. […] It’s truly amazing to see everyone having the ability to now share such a wonderful space.”
Making mobility easier
At our Sherwood Road scheme, we noticed that residents were having a tough time with wheelchair movements due to tricky exits. To make things easier, we added ramps and created more turning space outside the main doors. These changes have made a big difference, making it simpler for everyone to get around and enjoy their space.
About the changes, our support provider said:
“The path has enabled us to evacuate service users through the patio doors onto the newly paid path safely, especially those using wheelchairs or walkers. Plus, it provides easy access to the outdoors.”
Garden upgrades at Marrshams House
With support from Jim, our Community Wellbeing Coordinator, we made some exciting upgrades to the garden at our supported housing scheme, Marrshams House. These improvements have turned the garden into a welcoming and safe space for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
Our residents shared their enthusiasm:
“The work has made the garden a great and safe space for socialising with family and friends visiting for barbecues and parties.”
“The real grass has made such a difference to one individual who’s very tactile and requires sensory stimulation. They like to walk over the grass multiple times, and throughout they’re full of smiles and laughter.”
Safe and secure for the future
Mr B – who is in his late 70s and facing health and mobility challenges – had sadly been homeless for six months, before becoming an Abri resident. Once he moved into an Abri home, our Independent Living Housing Support team helped him settle as he needed extra financial support.
We helped Mr B apply for funding and charities, securing essentials like kitchen appliances and bedroom furniture. A referral to an Abri Welfare Benefits Officer also helped him boost his income by applying for additional benefits. We also guided him to buy a TV license for his newly purchased second-hand TV, as well as topping up his mobile phone. Transport was arranged for him to update his bank details and register with a local GP.
Mr B is now settling in well to his new community, making friends and meeting his neighbours. He feels safe and secure in his new home and is grateful for the support he received.
Festival fun
Our commitment goes way beyond property upgrades and housing related support, and this year we were able to create some brilliant memories for our residents. Rebecca and Niki from the Abri team had the joy of attending a musical festival hosted at one of our schemes. Along with our residents and our support provider, they enjoyed a fantastic day of music and fun, strengthening old friendships and making new ones.
Find out more about Abri’s supported housing schemes here.
Josephine Roberts
Head of Supported Housing
