Signpost
Housing Association backs National Housing Federation campaign on
supported
housing
12 March 2010
Blandford based Signpost Housing Association
is joining a range of agencies throughout the south west to mark
South West Supported Housing Month from 1 until 31 March 2010. The
National Housing Federation campaign is aimed at raising awareness
of the 2,800 crucial services running throughout the south west
that help nearly 103,000 of the most vulnerable people enjoy
independent and fulfilled lives.
Services provided range from foyers for young
people, temporary accommodation for families, refuges from domestic
violence and sheltered and extra care housing for older or disabled
people. With recent changes to the way funding is allocated for
these services, it’s more important than ever that those that hold
the purse strings are aware of the impact they are making. National
research from the Department for Communities and Local Government
shows that every pound spent on Supporting People saves £2.12 on
other public services.
Signpost Housing Association provides over 600
homes across North Dorset for people over 55 who are looking to
down-size and move to accommodation that enables them to remain
independent with the knowledge that if they need help it is
available. The Association’s Independent Living Team also offers
services to those wishing to remain in their own home that may need
a little extra support. Signpost also works with a number of
agencies who provide support services to residents with a
wide-range of needs. To raise awareness of this important work we
have organised our own events to mark South West Supported Housing
Month:
Open Days at:
- Rawson Court, High Street, Gillingham SP8 4RZ: 18 March
2pm–4pm
- Friars Moor Court, Sturminster Newton DT10 1QS: 24 March
2pm–4pm
- Bryanston Court, Chettell Way, Blandford St Mary DT11 9PH
: 31 March 2pm–4pm
Councillors, MPs and other regional decision makers from agencies
such as Government Office, the South West Regional Development
Agency, Police and Primary Care Trusts, are being invited to
similar events throughout the region.
Coordinated by the National Housing Federation
(South), the campaign comes after an announcement last year, which
gives Local Authorities much more freedom to decide how they use
‘Supporting People’ grants. The removal of the ring-fence is aimed
at giving councils the chance to be innovative in how they
commission and provide services for vulnerable people.
Myriam Kniveton, Chair of the National Housing Federation’s South
West Supported Housing Forum commented: “South West Supported
Housing Month runs throughout March this year and is an excellent
opportunity for providers to join forces in the south west and
highlight the contribution supported housing and support services
make in the region. It will help to demonstrate the money that is
being saved to other public services, as outlined in the
Communities and Local Government commissioned Capgemini
report.
With the removal of the ring fence around
Supporting People funding, it is vitally important that
commissioners, MPs, stakeholders and Councillors are fully aware of
the contribution that the sector is making in supporting and
improving the lives of so many individuals in communities
throughout the region.”
ENDS
For further information about South West
Supported Housing Month please see the ‘What Is It?’ and ‘Key
Facts’ documents issued alongside this press release.
To find out about events taking place across
the region,
please visit our dedicated web page.
For further information please contact Wendy Rooke,
Liaison Officer at Signpost on 01747 824273 or mobile: 07977 014878
or Annette Williams, Liaison Officer at Signpost
on 01747 824273 or mobile 07977 014887 (mobile).