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Developments, delight and a new partnership with Plymouth University

Teams in Cornwall have been busy this year with the opening of four brand new supported living accommodations.

The first house opened just after the first lockdown and is home to a group of young people who are all loving their first home of their own. Three more supported living settings will be opening in December and January, one of which will be part of an exciting research project into dementia in conjunction with Plymouth University.

Making friends in Newquay

One home in Newquay was almost ready for people we support to move into when lockdown struck in March. Teams continued to work closely with tenants and their families, and the move was able to go ahead just two months later. 

With seven self-contained apartments and one studio apartment, the house is now home to eight young adults. Over summer, they enjoyed time at the beach, ventured to the pub, visited the Eden Project and much more! For now, they’re enjoying the garden and making the most of their new home living with their friends.

A new style of support

One house is being redeveloped to support people with a learning disability and dementia. The team will be working alongside researchers at the University of Plymouth as part of a new research project.

A PHD student will join us from the university, to research the impact the environment and support model has for people living there.

We are delighted to be involved in the research which will be linked to the National Institute for Health Research on the growing older and planning ahead project.

The site will have accommodation for 11 people across four properties with specialist facilities. It will also be able to host day activities in summer houses in the paddock and communal spaces in the properties.

Our Chief Technology Officer, Mark Ebden, is working alongside the active research project at Plymouth University, to develop bespoke solutions to create enabling technology. The collaboration will lead to published research in this area.

Coming together despite Coronavirus

Building works in Camborne were planned to be completed for September 2020, with building works due to begin in March. COVID-19 meant building was only able to start in August. Despite that, it’s on track to open in December.

Steve, Damian, and other staff from the project team went to see the site recently and gave this update:

"As you can see the builders are in and doing the heavy refurb of nine apartments as well a sneaky little bungalow which will be fully accessible. It’s great to be able to provide people with their own front door accommodation as well as the support that they need on an individual basis.

"Look past the building works and piles of rubble and imagine the smell of fresh paint and new carpets, and newly created gardens where some will be individual and some communal spaces.

"We are all looking forward to sharing the before and after pictures soon with some happy new tenants holding their keys."

Renovating for a range of needs

In Bodmin, the team has been overseeing a big renovation, which will be home to nine people. The accommodation is purpose built and can provide support for people with different needs.

Over the coming months, staff will start to support people with their move, helping to make sure there’s a smooth transition on the big day.

Together we care

Staff will be supporting people to move into their own accommodation which will be fun, challenging, and hugely rewarding for everyone involved.

These exciting new projects can only go ahead with the right team. If you think you can support people to live life the way they choose, visit our jobs section to find out more.