The Trust provides supported living for adults with learning disabilities across eight supported living houses in the Southbourne, Christchurch and Kings Park areas. Our independent living support services currently support 49 residents, with access to dedicated staff 24 hours a day, helping each person live safely, confidently and as independently as possible.

Our supported living homes vary in size from five to seven bedrooms, many with ensuite shower facilities. Each home includes shared communal spaces where tenants can choose to socialise, cook and eat together. Sharing a home does not mean sharing every aspect of life, and our approach to supported living encourages each person to enjoy their independence while also building friendships and being part of a supportive household.

The purpose of our supported living services is to enable adults with learning disabilities to live independently while receiving personalised support tailored to their individual needs, goals and aspirations. All of our homes are located on residential streets within local communities, with good access to public transport, shops, GP surgeries, leisure facilities and other local amenities. This allows tenants to develop life skills, participate in their communities and enjoy greater independence.

We work closely with local authority learning disability teams to ensure that every new tenant is carefully matched with the people already living in each home. This person-centred approach helps create compatible households where everyone feels safe, respected and supported. By carefully considering individual needs, personalities and expectations, we maintain the peaceful, welcoming environments our tenants value while continuing to provide high-quality supported living and trusted independent living support.

Regulated by the Care Quality Commission our staff teams work exceptionally hard to ensure that our tenants are well supported and well cared for and are able to live their best and most independent life.

We use the Reach Standards to ensure that our tenants are able to have control in their own lives and make choices and decisions that matter to them:

1. I choose who I live with
2. I choose where I live
3. I have my own home
4. I choose how I am supported
5. I choose who supports me
6. I get good support
7. I choose my friends and relationships
8. I choose how to be healthy and safe
9. I choose how to take part in my community
10. I have the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens
11. I get help to make changes in my life

Everyone has an individualised support and wellbeing plan designed to meet their specific needs and reflect their choices for how they spend their time. Many of our tenants are actively engaged with our day services, but they also have attend other groups and activities in the community, which ensures they are getting out and about and having many different experiences.

Each person benefits from dedicated 1:1 support hours which gives them personal and uninterrupted support from a support worker to enable them to do things that are important to them. This can include help with cooking, shopping and maintaining their personal space, going on a trip to the cinema or into town to do some shopping. Some people enjoy going out for lunch or for a coffee, whilst others enjoy quieter activities such as a walk along the beach or in the park.

This type of individual support is an essential part of ensuring that each person gets the help they need to experience a good quality of life and participate in activities that many would find more challenging to do on their own.

The reward for our staff team is seeing the people they support every day taking such a huge pride in their homes, enjoying sharing their lives with their friends, and living their lives to the full as independently as they can. Seeing people’s confidence and skills grow on a daily basis as they realise that there is a whole world to be explored and they can enjoy the excitement and positive experiences this brings, is heart-warming and inspiring to us all!