We are delighted to have been awarded £150,000 by Homes and Communities Agency to remodel The Powerhouse, our supported housing centre in Toxteth, Liverpool, which provides temporary housing and support for young people aged between 16 and 25-years-old who have low to medium support needs.
Improvements will be made to The Powerhouse’s multifunctional training room to enhance the programme of educational courses, including cookery, art and photography, for customers at the scheme.
The centre’s ground floor and reception area will be remodelled to become more open and welcoming in line with a psychologically-informed approach. Core to the delivery of our services, the approach enhances environments and services, reflected in positive behaviour.
Rachel Richards, Riverside Area Manager, said: “The approach aims to achieve more 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 achieve their outcomes whether it be rebuilding relationships or improving their health or becoming drug-free. The design in services is shown to reduce challenging behaviour and aggressive contact by making spaces more open and welcoming.
“The individual meeting rooms will also be upgraded and lighting will be enhanced to create a brighter, more inviting space. The redeveloped areas will also promote positive health and wellbeing recovery pathways for customers with support needs at the scheme, who have often been in care or in receipt of counselling sessions.”
Jason*, in his early twenties, spent time sofa surfing after a breakdown in family relationships before moving to The Powerhouse last year.
He had suffered from mental health issues and used cannabis and a number of legal highs to cope with his anxiety and depression. The support team at The Powerhouse helped Jason to schedule and attend appointments with drug agencies and other health services.
Recently, Jason applied for a training course to make steps towards a more positive future. He has shown commitment to learning which in turn has helped him manage his anxiety and other aspects of his behaviour in a better away.
Last month, Jason stopped using cannabis and legal highs altogether. He has made steps to improve his appearance and with Riverside’s support, is looking forward to independent living.
Customers at The Powerhouse are supported to manage their finances and establish links in the community ahead of moving on into independent living.
Riverside implements innovative and researched Programmes of Support at services nationwide. The housing association has an extensive range of modules, including Money Matters, Resettlement and Confidence and Resilience. These specific modules are designed to support customers by effectively budgeting and transition through the steps of moving on into independent living.
The redevelopment work at The Powerhouse began at the end of 2015 and will be complete in summer 2016.
*Name has been changed