12 February 2024
Summary:Partnership with Wandsworth Council at Bolingbroke Grove will provide tailored support to seven 18 to 25 year-olds and help them develop vital skills towards a more independent life.
MTVH has joined forces with Wandsworth Council to create a new supported housing scheme for recent care leavers in the south London borough. The service in Bolingbroke Grove opened to residents on 8th December 2023 and will be home to seven 18 to 25-year-olds who require additional support towards a better future.
The service will provide residents with the opportunity to develop vital life skills which will help them to live more independent lives, alongside a 24-hour support plan for each resident which is tailored to their individual needs. Personal support workers will take a trauma-informed approach to working with residents, recognising their lived experiences and helping them to better cope in the future with independent living.
While every resident will have their own room, the service offers spacious shared facilities, including a garden, to encourage communal living and the opportunity for residents to make new friends.
To celebrate the partnership between MTVH and Wandsworth Council, an open day was held at the scheme on 19th January 2024 which was attended by representatives from both partners. Attendees met with residents to discuss their life experiences and what they hope to gain from their time living at Bolingbroke Grove.
The service opens at a time when a growing number of young people across the UK are facing significant challenges to their prospects. The Prince’s Trust has found that two-thirds of 18 to 24 year-olds have lowered their career expectations citing the cost of living, challenges in the UK economy and their own mental health as the reasons behind this: Gen Z putting ‘dream jobs’ on hold according to new research (princes-trust.org.uk)
Bolingbroke Grove will play a crucial role in meeting the additional needs of residents whilst also helping them to develop the skills and confidence they need to pursue their full potential and to live fulfilling, more independent lives.
Claire Wise, Head of Business Development for South London and the South at MTVH said:
“MTVH are delighted to work with Wandsworth Council to develop new services for young people in the borough. Our new supported housing service in Wandsworth is a significant investment and demonstration of our commitment to helping young people achieve their full potential through integrated, person-centred support in a high-quality environment.
The service is providing a vital steppingstone to help residents build happy, stable lives, and become active members of their local community. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Wandsworth and continuing to support young people to build resilience and improve their life outcomes.”
Cllr Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, Wandsworth Borough Council said:
“Supporting young people achieve their full potential in life is a top priority for Wandsworth Council, so I am extremely pleased that we are working in a partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing to produce this excellent facility at Bolingbroke Grove. This is a unique Centre that combines high quality accommodation alongside tailored care and support for some of Wandsworth’s most vulnerable youngsters and comes at a time when there is a high demand for such help.”