Supporting our local communities

We're delighted to be supporting Reach, a registered charity working with people who have learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire, on their innovative one-of-a-kind housing project.

Reach were established in 1999 by a group of parents worried about the lack of local facilities for young adults with learning disabilities. Their aim is to help people with learning disabilities enjoy lives filled with purpose, achievement, opportunity, and friendship. Today, they work with 250 people, enabling each individual to lead a happier, healthier life in their own community.

For the last 20 years, the Reach team have been working tirelessly to create high-quality, affordable accommodation for people with learning disabilities. After years of fundraising, donations, grants and building work, they finally have the house finished and it's almost ready for residents to move in.

The house itself has been built to be low-cost to run, and is split into two sections, Cherry Tree and Springbank House (the names were chosen by the residents!). Each section will have six bedrooms for residents, a kitchen, a utility room and various activity and lounge spaces, as well as a bedroom for care workers to stay overnight.

The spaces have been designed to build the residents' confidence, allowing them to learn skills for independence as well as helping them create a home. Each resident has chosen their own flooring, all the furniture and accessories to go into their rooms.

We're so glad you asked! We were thrilled to be able to step into the project as the house reached completion of its building phase. We've sent in our product design team, who have helped Reach and the house's residents to choose the look and feel of their future home. We've provided furniture, decor and accessories for the shared spaces including the kitchen, activity rooms, snugs and carers' bedrooms. Since it's their space, residents decorated their own bedrooms themselves!

Light, spacious and high spec, the Reach House is a unique space. The team have worked to prove that through creativity and bringing people and organisations of all kinds together, new approaches to social care can be found.

Chelsea currently lives with her two housemates, Sarah and David, in a rented house in Southwell, Nottinghamshire where they enjoy being part of community life.

The three will soon be moving into Reach’s supported living accommodation. After years of searching for suitable housing and facing unstable living situations, this comes as huge relief to Chelsea and her family.

Chelsea’s life is firmly rooted in the local Southwell community. She enjoys attending Reach’s local day services and has recently played an active role in a project to deliver training to young people and professionals. At weekends, Chelsea loves relaxing after her busy week, heading out and about on her trike or visiting local shops.

Chelsea says:

“I’m looking forward to living with different people I haven’t lived with before. I’m looking forward to sitting outside on my patio.”

Chelsea’s Mum Jacqui explains:

“The Reach Accommodation Project coming to its fabulous fruition means primarily, peace of mind for me and my family. Knowing that Chelsea will be getting a secure and happy future in an environment fit for royalty.

The difference that makes is enormous; Chelsea now has the ideal space to live a happy and fulfilling life in a familiar neighbourhood.”