Funding for a new scheme in Rochdale

One of our new supported living schemes in Rochdale has been supported through capital grant funding from NHS England, along with a contribution from RWP. The bungalow was reviewed by NHS Greater Manchester and Future Directions CIC in mid-2023, as it had been a void property since the beginning of the year. It was identified as a suitable site for remodelling into two self-contained supported living annexes, and has been developed in partnership with NHS England and with oversight from property and construction specialists, Watts.

This two-person service and staff facility is for tenants who are transitioning from long-stay hospital settings into community-based living Tenants moved in earlier this year, settling in well, and they have been supported by support staff to develop their life skills and independence.

Remodelling the property

Nick Stevenson, Head of Development at RWP, shared insight into the remodelling process and finding suitable tenants. Nick said: “It was important to find suitable tenants who would benefit from the scheme and proposed layout. Two tenants were consulted who had transitioned from long-stay hospital settings into community-based living. Moving forward with the remodelling, the layout was redesigned to include two ground-floor flats with a shared garden and an integrated staff facility, ensuring accessibility, safety, and a low sensory environment.

“The remodelling was carefully planned to meet the specific needs of the two tenants, with input from NHS England and our external consultant, Watts Group. Meeting their needs has been central to the design process, with adaptations tailored to support independence, safety, and wellbeing. Each annex has been adapted with anti-ligature and anti-barricade features, low sensory environments, and full wheelchair accessibility. The property includes a shared garden and a staff facility integrated into the shared entrance hall.”

Environmental sustainability, and more specific energy efficiency, was implemented into the design ensuring that compliance was achieved with energy efficiency standards. The property is compliant with Specialised Supported Housing (SSH) standards and is expected to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above. 

Meeting the needs of tenants

The new scheme is designed to meet the specific needs of our tenants who moved in earlier this year. It is a specialised design which includes anti-ligature. Kulwant Paddan, RWP Housing Manager, visited the scheme ahead of tenants moving in.

Kulwant said: “I had the opportunity to visit this property before handover. It’s a specialised supported housing property designed to be anti-ligature and tailored to meet the specific needs of its future tenants. It is fantastic to see cross-sector collaboration delivering safe, high-quality homes that promote independence and wellbeing for those who need it most. I am looking forward to seeing the tenants’ transition and settle, making this space their own.”