New supported living home in Blackburn: “RWP has created a lovely, accessible home environment”

Refurbishment of the property

“RWP’s property in Blackburn required extensive repair work and adaptations to meet the needs of tenants David, Azar, and Samid moving into the property. An undiscovered heating pipe leak in the ceiling had caused significant damage to the ceilings and the floor and the property had also become affected by mould. Progress Housing Group, which RWP is part of, employed their Property Services Division (PSD) team to carry out the refurbishment work on the property.

As the work started, earlier this year, the PSD team discovered that mould had affected the insulation and the timbers beyond reasonable repair. Following this discovery, the internal walls, floors and ceilings were removed and they started the refurbishment with a brick shell. The PSD team has completely refurbished the inside of the property, adding in new external and internal doors, new stud walls, and insulated floors.

The refurbishment also extended to the outside of the property with a secure rear garden where tenants and support staff will be able to relax. Along with this, new gates were fitted to keep the property safe and secure. New guttering was added, too, which will now enable efficient drainage at the property.

Improving accessibility for tenants

Adaptations have been made to the property to improve the accessibility for tenants and ensure it will meet needs for moving around the property, using facilities, and receiving support. A new bathroom and wetroom have been fitted and levelled pathways have been created to give the required accessibility for tenants. Corridors and doors have also been widened for accessibility around the property. Each bedroom has had power for a track hoist installed so that bedrooms will be equipped for all needs in the future.

Improving energy efficiency

To ensure efficient and more sustainable heating in the property, a new boiler and heating system have been added, as well as rewiring of the property. Solar panels have also been fitted which will both reduce environmental impact and help to reduce household bills. On days with sunshine, there is the possibility of running zero cost through the day which will contribute greatly to a reduction in energy costs. In addition to this, an insulated floor, new radiators, and deep loft insulation has been installed which will means the property retains warmth well, helping to keep energy bills down, too.

Success of the supported living home

The property has successfully undergone a refurbishment in just a few months and has been taken from a just a shell to a fully functioning supported living home, which is at a high standard for accessibility, energy efficiency, and safety.

Andy, Retrofit Contracts Surveyor at Progress Housing Group, which RWP is part of, explains the challenges and successes of the project. “I feel the success is due to delivering it inhouse to a very high standard and we engaged with the housing teams, the commissioners, and the families to make sure we captured everything that we could,” says Andy. “At times we had in excess of 10 vehicles on site and it was great to see everyone working at capacity to complete this project. We have had monthly meetings with the Blackburn and Darwen Commissioning team to discuss project and specification and more recently they have been to visits. It’s great to see the excitement for the completion of this project and I’m looking forward to seeing it occupied.”

Successful collaboration

RWP Housing Officer Paula comments: “It’s taken a long time to get to this point, a good 18 to 24 months, with lots of visits and meetings with commissioners, social workers, advocates, families, new provider and tenants etc, but it does look amazing.  I am very proud of what everyone has done to get it to this point, and I hope the three new tenants will be very happy there.  Thera North and the commissioners love the property and they all cannot wait to get settled in.”

Thera North’s Support Manager Zoe comments: “As soon as I came on board to help manage the move, RWP were person-centred and listened to our client-based needs from day one. It was very refreshing to be involved in the planned works, and we had regular meetings with updates and suggestions on how to make the bungalow work for the needs of the service. The workmanship was to the highest of standards and the quality was the best. The housing officer I dealt with in person, Paula, was very approachable and took onboard any suggestions we shared in the meetings and always tried to accommodate any changes. The workmen on site were very helpful in answering questions and they were very friendly

The transition from our previous home into Green Lane went a lot better than anyone could have imagined, and I feel this is mainly because of how well the bungalow was completed with no snags in sight. The three men who moved in are now very settled and happy, and so are the staff. We feel lucky to have such a beautiful home.”

Collaborating with Blackburn Council

“Blackburn Council would like to thank Progress Housing Group, which RWP is part of, for all the work that was put into refurbishing the supported living property. By working closely in partnership with social workers, families and advocates, commissioners and the support provider Thera North, RWP has created a lovely, accessible home environment which meets the needs of three service users.

“The development of the property was not without its setbacks, due to a flood causing significant damage. However, RWP took this as an opportunity to create a bespoke setting to meet the exact specification of the individuals and the support provider, and by learning more about day-to-day needs and requirements, achieved an even better outcome. The proposed addition of solar panels will also make this one of the most energy-efficient supported living schemes in Blackburn, and allow savings on utility costs.

“Following the successful move to the property in May 2024, we look forward to the tenants living safely, happily and well in the property for many years to come,” shared Vicky Walker, Lead Commissioning Manager - Social Care Accommodation at Blackburn Council.