A Compassionate Approach: Daniel and Mary’s Story
Daniel and Mary, a brother and sister, became tenants in one of our properties in 2010. Their past was troubled by both abuse and homelessness, and Mary lived with a learning disability. Having a stable home with us has been essential for their well-being.
Unfortunately, Daniel lost his job during the pandemic and suffered a mental health breakdown, which led to them accumulating considerable rent arrears. Given their long-term tenancy and unique challenges, we were keen to offer our assistance. In coordination with their support workers and the local council, we reached an agreeable solution that enabled them to stay in the home that they love.
We are pleased to report that Daniel and Mary are now settled and have the peace of mind that comes with a secure and stable home.
A Collaborative Effort: Stuart’s Journey to a Stable Home
In our ongoing efforts to house more individuals facing homelessness, we converted one of our single-let properties into a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). We collaborated closely with the Daylight Centre Fellowship, a local charity, to identify individuals desperate for stable accommodation.
One of those selected was Stuart, who had been living on the streets for 6 months, whilst suffering severe health issues including cancer and cardiac conditions. Tragically, he suffered both verbal and physical abuse during this period. He had to beg for money and struggled to access the medication he desperately needed.
Following a referral from the Daylight Centre, Stuart moved in to one of our three-bedroom homes in April 2021. He lived there mostly alone for a year while we tried to find compatible co-residents. This proved to be a challenging task, as many potential occupants were unsuitable due to issues related to alcohol or substance misuse.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Stuart is very grateful to now have a stable home, showcasing our dedication to providing sustainable housing solutions for our community’s most vulnerable.
“I’m very happy here- it’s warm, quiet and I feel secure. I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder for dangers. My health is still very poor but at least I can now get the medication I need. If I wasn’t here I don’t know where I’d be. Probably dead. My health was getting worse and worse when I was on the street and I didn’t see any way that would have changed.“
– Stuart
Sustainable Excellence: A Collaborative Endeavour
In a groundbreaking partnership with Patronus SSAS, a connected entity, we were integral in delivering an award winning development of 25 state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral homes. This scheme included 9 exemplary affordable residences that were sold to the Housing Association Sovereign. Importantly, these affordable homes were constructed to the same high specifications as their private counterparts.
Use of state-of-the-art, off-site modular construction techniques, along with eco-friendly hemp and lime insulation, created homes with outstanding insulation properties whilst having zero embodied carbon, where more carbon in locked up than used in construction.
In combination with photovoltaic panels generating renewable electricity these residences often generate more energy than they consume. This translates to lower energy bills for all residents, and it furthers our collective strides toward the UK’s 2050 carbon neutrality goals.
Furthermore, the scheme was designed in alignment with the ‘One Planet Living’ principles for sustainable development and has been awarded ‘Global Leader’ status by renowned environmental charity Bioregional. Additionally, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) were engaged to optimise the ecological value of the development, enhancing the natural habitat for both wildlife and human inhabitants.
