Residents of a supported housing service in Stockton shared stories of their experiences with Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, who dropped by for a visit.
Sanctuary Supported Living’s Norton Road service, which provides supported housing for people and families at risk of homelessness, welcomed Alex for a visit to see supported housing in action, as well as discuss the national “Starts At Home” campaign.
Run annually by the National Housing Federation, the focus this year is to highlight the invaluable work done in the supported housing sector, and the effect it has on residents. Alex, who is also Shadow Housing Minister, spoke with residents and learned more about how the services benefit them through personalised support, which sees staff work with residents to help develop the skills they need to live independently.
In addition to meeting with residents, Alex learnt more about staff member Tracey Godfrey’s shortlisting in the Great British Care Awards and Norton Road’s involvement in the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s Get on Track project. The latter project has seen elite athletes work with residents at the service to pursue their ambitions and improve their confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Sanctuary Group Chief Executive Craig Moule said:
Norton Road embodies the benefits of the supported housing model through its innovative approaches to personalised support, so we are delighted to have had the opportunity to show Mr Cunningham the work it does and for residents to meet with their local MP.
Alex said
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Sanctuary Supported Living facilities in Stockton and chatting residents and staff about their experiences of living and working in supported housing.
There’s some great work happening here and across the country, and we cannot underestimate the important work supported living does in helping people turn their lives around, regain their confidence and build solid foundations on which they can achieve their aspirations.