Cornish housing association, Coastline Housing, took part in the nationwide campaign for increased investment in supported housing services on Thursday, 12th September 2024.
Residents, volunteers and colleagues of the association came together to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role that supported housing services play in the community. They also urged the government to provide secure and stable funding for these services in the future.
At Chi Winder in Pool, a purpose-built homeless centre, homeless clients cooked a BBQ and welcomed visitors and key stakeholders from the community. They showcased the essential services provided at the centre, including crisis accommodation, move-on accommodation, access to a GP, showers, laundry, courses and various other help and advice services.
Similarly, residents and guests at the landlord’s accommodation for homeless families in Redruth marked the day with a lunch, cake and the creation of a new fairy garden. The garden, complete with plant pots, mushrooms and miniature ladders, is a project that will continue to bring joy and hope to future guests of the accommodation.
Louise Beard, Deputy CEO of Coastline Housing, emphasized the importance of supported housing services in people’s lives, stating, “Having a safe and secure home is one of the most important things in life. For many people though, this is not enough and they need a wraparound support service to enable them to live an independent and fulfilling life.”
She also stressed the need for supported housing services to be a crucial part of any national housing strategy put forth by the government.
The celebration also extended to Miners Court, Coastline’s Extra Care scheme, where customers live independently in 64 self-contained flats with the help of an on-site care and support team. Customers came together to decorate the scheme with homemade decorations and enjoy singing and dancing to music provided by a local entertainer.
Louise further emphasized the significance of Extra Care schemes and other support services for older individuals, saying, “Cornwall has an ageing population and this is why Extra Care schemes and other support services for people who are older and may become less independent are so vitally important. These services help people to stay healthier and more independent for longer.”
She also warned that without these services, thousands of people across the country may go without the support they need, leading to higher costs for the public and potentially leaving individuals who could live independently with support facing prolonged stays in care homes or hospitals.
Those interested in learning more about Coastline’s Homeless and Extra Care support services and how they can be accessed can visit the landlord’s website.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.