An award-winning social landlord which helps people rebuild their lives as well as putting a roof over their heads showed off its latest premises to a local MP after expanding its operations to Warwickshire.
Derventio Housing Trust gave Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, a guided tour around the renovated four-bedroom property in Warwick, which opened its doors to its first residents earlier this year.
The housing trust already operates 600 rooms of accommodation for homeless people in Derbyshire, where it was launched and is based, and in Swindon, Wiltshire.
It says that it has been looking to expand into Warwickshire for a while and is looking to work with local authorities across the county to give more people the opportunity to put their homeless days behind them.
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Matt Western MP, left, with Ben Ludford, Assistant Director, Housing and Support, during a visit to Derventio Housing Trust’s newest property in Warwick.
The new property, whose precise location is being kept under wraps, has been totally overhauled so that it now provides accommodation for four people, complete with their own en-suite bathrooms and shared living spaces including a spacious kitchen.
It is run by Assistant Director of Housing and Support Ben Ludford who showed Mr Western around and introduced him to residents.
Derventio is working in conjunction with Warwick District Council in order to meet local homeless people’s housing needs and will offer bespoke support plans for each resident, establishing personal goals and assisting them to reach their potential during their time within the service so that they can ultimately move into a property of their own.
Ben said: “We were very pleased to show Mar Western around the property, which is now fully up and running and with residents settled in.
“Derventio has an excellent track record at its other centres when it comes to helping vulnerable people to rebuild their lives and we will be offering additional services, such as a vegetable growing project, to give them new skills and opportunities.
“We always say that anyone can become homeless and that the people we work with come from a vast range of backgrounds. That is the same in Warwick as it is elsewhere and we are very much looking forward to helping them turn their lives around.”
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Assistant Director of Housing and Support Ben Ludford with Vix Gardner, a resident at Derventio Housing Trust’s new property in Warwick.
Resident Vix Gardner, who is originally from Leamington, said: “I have got my own room with an en-suite shower and bathroom and it’s lovely. It’s really nice and all quite high spec.
“I was homeless and I needed housing, although I had been in a B&B. However, having a room of my own – and a washing machine – makes me more stable.
“It’s so nice to be settled and the staff are really helpful. They support you to do anything.”
As well as offering accommodation, Derventio works strategically with partners including local authorities, funders and other not-for-profit organisations in order to help more than 1,100 people each year.
To find out more about Derventio Housing Trust visit www.derventiohousing.com
