Our specialist housing and support service in Cambridge for homeless people with complex and enduring needs has been awarded a quarter of a million pounds of government funding to modernise the space in line with a psychological design.

Willow Walk provides support and accommodation to help former homeless customers into independent living. The centre has been awarded a grant of £250,000 by the Homes and Communities Agency to remodel the 20-bed centre. The redevelopment will modernise 20 individual bedrooms of which six will be en suite rooms, and two will be suitable for wheelchair users.

Willow Walk’s reception will also be expanded in line with a psychologically-informed approach. Core to the delivery of Riverside’s services, the approach enhances environments and services, reflected in positive behaviour.

Simon Allcock, Regional Operations Manager, said: “The approach promotes positive outcomes for customers as they identify their own goal or ambition, and direct how they would like to use our support in order to break out of the cycle of homelessness. The design in services is shown to reduce challenging behaviour by making spaces more open and welcoming.

“The scheme will also benefit from new training facilities for customers to engage in education and training programmes ahead of securing employment. As well as this, the new space will also promote positive health and wellbeing recovery pathways for our customers.

Craig*, 42, moved to Willow Walk last year. Originally from Lincoln, he moved in to Cambridge in 2000 for a fresh start after many years of abusing drugs.

After several drug-related prison sentences, Craig developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found himself rough sleeping before being referred to Riverside’s services at Willow Walk.

Riverside helped Craig secure an appointment with a local GP for a mental health assessment and referred him to Cambridge Drug Services. He now has the correct mental health diagnosis, and receiving medication to manage his mood swings, and has been drug-free for several months.

The redevelopment work at Willow Walk is due to start in spring 2016 and complete next year.

*Name has been changed