Residents have settled into a housing scheme with accommodation for people with a learning disability in Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire.
Among the residents is Iain, who values the new independence his flat offers while remaining close to his family.
Hornbeam Close has nine family houses and 12 supported living properties and was developed by LiveWest in partnership with Milestones Trust and South Gloucestershire Council.
It provides purpose-built supported housing for people with learning difficulties and autism, and general needs housing for social rent.
Our resident, Iain Petrie, said: “I'm very impressed with it. I've never been here before, it's nice and I like the design too.
“I was closer to my brother as I was at Crossways Court before, but I wanted to move to be closer to my mum and her dog Gus as well.
“I was actually ecstatic, and I had people helping me move in, the delivery people were grabbing stuff and everything. My mum was very pleased because this flat wasn’t on the list so I couldn’t see it so I’m really happy I got this place on my own.”
Iain moved from nearby in northeast suburb, Downend and works in a shop and he also supports with animals on the side too. He enjoys having somewhere to call his own but with the unique addition of staff on hand whenever he needs them.
The neighbourhood has since become a well-established part of the local community. The development also offers a blend of two and three-bedroom family homes.
Iain said: “My family and everyone else helped me to move in, I’m always happy with the help I get from everyone.
“I’m glad I moved here, I get more support here than before and I like the staff. It gives me independence, and I can get the bus to work. I used to walk all the way to work where I lived before, so this is less walking.”
The supported living accommodation includes 11 one-bedroom flats, two of which are wheelchair accessible, alongside a two-bedroom accessible flat, communal indoor facilities and landscaped shared gardens.
All of the homes are energy efficient with enhanced building fabrics, air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels.
Find out more about our supported housing here.