Local charity Stable Family Home Trust (SFHT) has completed extensive house renovations to support a group of women living with learning disabilities thanks to a generous donation of almost £30,000.

SFHT provides supported living accommodation to 130 people across Dorset and Hampshire living with disabilities such as Down’s syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy, and following a donation of £29,473 from Talbot Village Trust, a local grant-giving charity in south east Dorset, SFHT has completed the final stage of a three-stage conversion of a supported living home in Southbourne. The project included a large conservatory extension providing improved communal living space to the home of five residents.

Across the UK, people with learning disabilities face a severe housing crisis and Emma is one of the young women who moved into the home after struggling with living alone. Since moving in, her housemates and SFHT staff have provided her with safety, support, and companionship 24 hours a day seven days a week. Emma commented: “I was having a difficult time emotionally and feeling very down. Since having support from SFHT I feel a lot better and that nothing can hurt me.” Emma also suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months and added: “I’m looking forward to enjoying the sunshine in the new conservatory and I think this will make things even better; it will be really nice.”

SFHT sets strict criteria for all supported living housing and ensures every home is in proximity to local shops, leisure facilities, parks and seaside walks to give those it supports access to a variety of activities to enjoy and improve their quality of life.

Theresa Elliot, Head of Fund Development, said: “The exceptionally generous £29,473 grant from Talbot Village Trust made this much-needed supported living home conversion possible, for which we are enormously grateful. The on-going relationship we have with the Trust has been instrumental in the development of our Charity and improving the lives of our amazing learning-disabled clients.”

In addition to supported living, SFHT provides other support services in the shape of day activities and educational programmes. The Personal Development Programmes provide clients with fun daytime activities, ASDAN accredited education courses and assistance to find employment.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust, added: “Everyone has the right to live an independent, safe, and joyful life which is why we were excited to support the great work of the Stable Family Home Trust. Its supported living accommodation enables those with learning disabilities to become more self-sufficient and thrive both at home and in the community. All of us at Talbot Village Trust were delighted to hear how much this has benefitted Emma and her housemates and we wish them all the best in their new and improved home.”

For more information on Stable Family Home Trust visit www.sfht.org.uk.

Talbot Village Trust donates £1million each year in grants to organisations in south east Dorset. In 2021, the trust supported 53 organisations across community, education, youth, and faith and will continue to broaden their support for priority projects tackling climate change, mental health and wellbeing, and education exclusion.