For Victoria, moving into her new affordable home at Charity Farm in Ashcott has given her family a new chapter with stability, comfort and a place she is proud to call home.

The village of Ashcott is in Central Somerset, situated on the Polden Hills.

Victoria said: “I was homeless for a year, so I got somewhere in the local area… but yeah, I got offered here near my sister so it’s nice and easy,” she said.

“It’s easy for childcare, a nice little village and near family again so.”

Before moving into her LiveWest home, Victoria had been living with her sister. She said: “I was living with my sister and there were seven of us and a dog in a two-bedroom house. So, yeah, this is definitely a fresh start and we’re nice and near family.”

Now, nearly a year on, she reflects on how much of a difference having her own home has made.

“I’ve been here nearly a year now, like nine months.”

The Charity Farm development, delivered in partnership with EG Carter, provides 25 high-quality homes for local people, including 20 for affordable rent and five for Shared Ownership. Designed in line with the Ashcott Neighbourhood Development Plan, the homes respect and reflect the village’s rural character while creating a welcoming place to live.

For Victoria, it’s not just the home itself, but the sense of community that has stood out the most.

“It’s so lovely living here, the house is beautiful and the area as well. We are all one massive family around here. I call on my neighbours all the time but yeah, absolutely lovely.”

“It’s quiet and I take my sister’s dog out all the time for walks and stuff. I absolutely love it. Just in the middle of nowhere, nice and quiet and nothing going on.”

Despite its peaceful setting, Ashcott still offers plenty for residents.

“Genuinely there’s so much happing in Ashcott itself but yeah loads going on.”

“I’ve lived in villages before myself but this is definitely more a community than anywhere else.”

As well as providing a supportive environment, Victoria has also seen practical benefits from her new home.

“Even in winter I hadn’t had my heating on for about two months it was so warm. It’s definitely well-made and definitely good with solar panels – electricity bills are definitely down there. It’s lovely here.”

Victoria also highlighted the support she’s received since moving in.

“Generally LiveWest respond really quickly if I have an issue or anything like that that. The response is really fast - really good.”

Working closely with Sedgemoor District Council, LiveWest continues to invest in developments like Charity Farm, helping to provide high-quality, affordable homes in rural communities across the South West.

For Victoria, the impact is clear – a safe, secure home and a fresh start surrounded by family and community.

For more details on affordable housing with LiveWest, click here.