March 2021
At LDCSA, one of our priorities for the work of Adelaide House is to see our residents experience safe, integrated and successful transition from the house back into community life. This can be particularly challenging for a small number of residents who are still struggling with dependencies, have ongoing mental health issues or who have committed offences such as arson. Despite the challenges of 2020, the LDCSA Trustees and Senior Staff from Adelaide House saw an opportunity to pilot a new project to support residents as they move on.
Staff identified that even if accommodation could be found for residents, their lack of
personal possessions could make it difficult to settle in sparsely furnished and de-
personalised accommodation. As well as needing basic household items, residents also
faced barriers around finding accommodation deposits and dealing with properties that were in a poor state. In June 2020, in recognition of such needs, we launched a pilot Move-On project supported, in part, by donations. The aim of this project is to provide a focused staff member and a designated budget to support women as they leave the approved premises. In this way it was then possible to help find appropriate property through cultivating links across the region, helping with accommodation deposits, starter packs, redecorating, accessing free and discounted furniture through the local furniture resource centre, and assisting with acquiring white goods.
In addition to this has been the very valuable relational support and care that a staff member
has been able to provide during this transition. This includes helping with setting up utilities
and banking, and keeping in touch with residents after they have moved on.
We are delighted that during the 8 months of the pilot, and despite Covid challenges which
reduced the numbers of residents in the house, we were able to support 11 women to move
on in a more supported way, with one resident moving out of area, and other residents moving back to existing homes or family members. We received excellent feedback from
residents who appreciated the level of support and assistance given to them in this
significant time of transition. One former resident wrote to share her thanks:
“I would like to thank staff and managers for helping me with the move on
project. It’s such a massive relief knowing that I don’t need to panic about
getting essential things like a washing machine, quilt to keep me warm and
pots and pans to be able to cook. I was so stressed and worried but now feel
relieved and grateful. My move on worker was brilliant in handling issues I had
with my benefits and finding goods for my new flat.
Thank you all for all the help and support, you are helping me and my
daughter have better start for our new lives together “
The project has now been approved by the LDCSA Board as a permanent part of the overall
support given to residents by Adelaide House. Nanci Metherell, Adelaide House Chief
Operations Officer, said:
“We are extremely proud of the success of the move on project and the
number of residents we have been able to support. We are pleased that
what started as a pilot will now remain a permanent part of the Adelaide
House programme, and we continue to be humbled by the excellent
feedback received from the resident group.
We continue to strive to give Adelaide residents the best possible experience
during their stay and the move on project has become integral to this.”
We continue to partner with supporters to fund this project. If you are interested in finding out more, or being part of supporting women moving on from Adelaide House into a more
positive future, then please get in touch: admin.ldcsa@ldcsa.org.uk
Comments