A WINNERSH charity providing quality housing for people with additional care needs wants to help more borough residents find a safe home.
EHSL Supported Housing seeks borough support from businesses and individuals to enable it to offer more homes for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, autism, and other health and social care-related needs.
Founded in 2012, EHSL delivers a range of housing options, working in partnership with local authorities, care providers, private landlords and other housing associations.
The charity currently houses more than 800 people.
But it’s not just about housing.
EHSL provides ongoing practical support for all its tenants, helping them to build the skills that will enable them to live independently.
One tenant said: “‘For a long time, my life felt out of control, but everything changed when I moved into EHSL’s supported housing.
“For the first time, I had stability.
“I had staff who didn’t give up on me and support that helped me slowly rebuild myself.
“But just as important, I found something in myself – I learnt how to manage my epilepsy.
“It hasn’t been easy, and it didn’t happen overnight, but my life today looks nothing like my life before.
“Now, for the first time in years, I have hope; I now have a part-time job, and I’m moving on from supported housing to be totally independent.”
In Wokingham Borough a Spencers Wood property now houses four people, while another five individuals have a home in Reading.
“There’s no upper age limit, so people aged 18 and upwards can live there for as long as they wish,” said Laura Maddison from EHSL.
The charity wants to provide more homes for people with additional care needs in Wokingham and Reading.
“We’ve got a number of properties in nearby Surrey, but we want to be able to provide for the people of Berkshire too,” said Laura.
What makes EHSL unique is its intensive housing management model.
Rather than simply providing accommodation, its teams work closely with every tenant on a daily basis to help them sustain their tenancy, manage their home safely, and engage positively with their local community.
“Every individual is cared for,” said Laura, “and everyone we support receives a personalised service.
“That means we’re able to make a real difference to our tenants’ lives, and to help them live independently.
“So many people with additional care needs can’t access properties, which may need to be adapted specifically for them.
“But we can provide them with not only a home, but the practical support they need to maintain that home.”
Every EHSL tenant meets with their housing officer each week, and has access to 24/7 care staff for help with repairs and maintenance.
Tenants also receive help to complete benefit applications.
Funding for the charity’s operations comes from donations, Government and business grants, contracts with local councils, and from residents’ housing benefit.
EHSL is a not-for-profit organisation, so all its funding goes into supporting its tenants and their homes.
A significant shortage of suitable supported accommodation for individuals with complex needs, leaves many people at risk of homelessness, inappropriate placements, or institutional settings, says the charity.
By increasing the number of high-quality supported housing units it manages, EHSL aims to meet this growing demand, reduce pressure on public services, and ensure that more individuals have access to safe, stable homes where they can thrive.
To meet its aim, it is appealing for donations to help it secure additional properties, furnish new homes, fund essential adaptations, and provide practical tenancy support to those who need it most.
It would also like to encourage corporate partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, where local companies can support specific projects, property refurbishments, or wider community initiatives.
Every contribution, whether financial, practical, or professional, it says, plays a direct role in helping the charity house more people who are unable to access mainstream accommodation, ensuring they have a safe and stable place to call home.
“Our work helps some of the most vulnerable people in our communities to access safe, stable housing and to live independently,” said Laura.
“Now we are asking the borough to help us provide more safe homes, here in Wokingham and Reading, for people with additional care needs.”
To support the charity, either financially, or through the provision of home maintenance materials and equipment, or for more information, people can visit: ehsl-uk.com and justgiving.com (search for EHSL)
