Gloucester – supported housing - Barnwood Trust

Gloucester – supported housing

Proving there’s life beyond mental illness

Our supported housing in Gloucester helps people with mental health problems to make the transition from living with support to living independently in the community.

As well as eight self-contained flats, there is a communal room with a TV, computer and coffee-making facilities, a peaceful garden with a small vegetable plot and greenhouse. Also on site is an office for staff members from the charity Rethink who manage the service.

A route map to independence

With the support of Rethink, tenants learn how to maintain a home and tenancy; develop domestic life skills; manage their finances and benefits; access work, training and leisure pursuits; manage their mental health and overcome social isolation.

Companionship and understanding

One important feature of the service is that the tenants are able to support each other, with living there and with managing their mental health.

This encourages an atmosphere of understanding amongst people who have often faced isolation, prejudice and stigma as part of daily life. As one tenant explains:

‘The best thing about here is the friends in the same situation.’

For more information about Rethink, visit www.rethink.org

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