Role: Service Manager and Project Lead Duration: 9 months

Overview

The Mendip district in Somerset, particularly around Glastonbury, experiences higher than average rough sleepers due to its attraction of alternative lifestyles, economic instability, high housing costs, and limited local homelessness support services. The rural and isolated nature of the district further restricts access to essential resources.

Mendip District Council commissioned the Connect Centre, a charity providing community hubs and services in the district, to deliver a Rough Sleeper Outreach service. The absence of direct access beds was a critical barrier to achieving service outcomes. I was approached by the Housing Options Service Manager to design a solution funded by the council.

Achievements

• Innovative solution: Launched the Dairy House Community (DH) in partnership with Mendip District Council, Addicott Partners (Manor Farm), and the Connect Centre.
• Direct access accommodation: Provided the only direct access accommodation in Mendip for rough sleepers, featuring two short-term assessment beds and four pre-move-on beds.
• Holistic support: Offered a community house experience with structured activities including art, pottery, animal care, and hedge-laying to prepare residents for sustainable accommodation.
• Rural integration: Located on a working farm, offering a softer transition from rural, self-isolating lifestyles to community living.
• Virtual front door: Enabled access to additional services and daily off-farm activities through partner agencies.
• Social enterprise: Established an adjacent community interest company (CIC) to grow and sell produce to local restaurants and retailers whilst providing work experience and therapeutic support to residents.
• Recognition: The Dairy House was featured twice on BBC’s Country File, on Sky News and in The Times and The Guardian.

Impact

The launch of the Dairy House provided Mendip’s first direct access accommodation, addressing a critical service gap and offering immediate support through short-term assessment and pre-move-on beds. This contributed to the council’s goal of reducing the number of rough sleepers in the district.

Skills

Service design and innovation:

• Pioneering concept: Developed the first direct access hostel on a working farm, based on a detailed analysis of user needs. This user-centric design resulted in a model distinct from traditional urban direct access hostels.
• Holistic approach: Designed a service that integrates community activities and therapeutic support to facilitate a smoother transition for rough sleepers.

Project Management:

• Comprehensive planning: Created a detailed project plan for an organisation with no prior residential service experience. Managed multiple workstreams, including property registration, refurbishment, legal compliance, policy development, user pathways, partnership agreements, staffing, and commercial aspects.