Elim celebrates specialist support scheme open day

Oldland Common, Elim’s newest specialist supported housing scheme in South Gloucestershire has opened its doors after an exciting 9-month build, giving part of a wider redevelopment of a brownfield site a new lease of life.

The scheme has been carefully designed to support 6 individuals with learning disabilities or autism and complex care needs to live in their own home, who may currently be in hospitals or be at risk of hospital admission.

Comprising of 6 purpose-built self-contained bungalows, adaptations have been developed by a multi-disciplinary team in collaboration with the Community Health Teams, Commissioners, Architect, Technical Consultants and the Build Contractor, ensuring the individual’s needs are met in every aspect. Each bungalow has its own bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, lounge-diner and garden. Separate staff units on site will allow for 24/7 support providing a safe, stable and supportive place to live. You can find further details on the specifications here. 

In the coming months, Elim and the three local authorities will begin to welcome the first residents as they begin their transition into making this exciting scheme their permanent home.

Paul Smith, Elim Chief Executive said: “We’re pleased to see the completion of Oldland Common in South Gloucestershire following the success of our previous SSH schemes. Oldland Common will give its new residents the independence and opportunity to live in their own home in the heart of their local community by providing high quality, purpose-built housing with exceptional on-site care and support.

Every person living in one of our homes has their own tenancy agreement and their own front door, regardless of how complex their needs are, reaffirming our mission to deliver homes that change peoples lives.”

Councillor John O’Neill, cabinet member with responsibility for affordable housing at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this partnership project completed and the bungalows ready to welcome their first residents. These specialist units are much needed in the area and the facilities, combined with wraparound support, will provide a safe and stable home that will enable people currently in hospital with learning disabilities or autism to move to more appropriate community-based provision.”

Hugh Evans, Executive Director Adults and Communities at Bristol City Council said: “The upcoming completion of the six units of Specialised Supported Housing at Oldland Common is truly exciting. I have been on site several times during the development of this accommodation, and it is great that it is now ready for use. Each of the six units represents a brilliant opportunity for one of our residents to move from institutional accommodation into their own home: a home that is theirs to live in for ever. ‘My own home’ is often something that we take for granted, so we must not underestimate how necessary this innovative housing is, and how much it will mean to the people who are moving to Oldland Common and their families to be able to live there. Our partnership with Elim Housing and other colleagues has been very inspiring. Here’s to more Specialised Supported Housing for Bristol.”

The scheme is developed jointly with South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, NHS BNSSG ICB, Homes England and other stakeholders, and comes following a review into specialised supported housing and the need of Bristol City Council in particular, to bring people with learning disability and autism (LDA) placed in out of area hospitals back closer to Bristol.

The delivery of joint models such as Oldland Common enable specialised housing to be developed within the community, which we believe is integral to achieving positive impact, providing a home-like environment for residents who require support with aspects of day-to-day living.