Issue - meetings

[To receive the annual update report on the Wolverhampton Local House Project.]

Alison Hinds, Deputy Director of Social Care presented the House Project Wolverhampton Report and highlighted salient points. The report provided Corporate Parenting Board with an overview of the progress of the House Project during its first year.

It was outlined that the House Project framework allowed young people to be supported into independence by gaining the practical skills to renovate and move into their own home whilst connecting them with other young people taking part in the project which provided the additionality of peer support. The theory of change that underpins the project was based upon improving young people’s outcomes and wellbeing, supporting positive changes to enable care leavers to live successful and healthy adult lives.

It was reported that it had been a challenging year and much for the progress had been hindered by lockdown and social distancing, however the project had adapted by moving as much as possible onto a virtual platform to build the community ethos that the project hoped to achieve. It was reported that the first cohort had progressed well and the Authority were beginning to engage with the second cohort of young people. A hub building had been kindly donated by Reconomy, a Telford-based company involved with the House Project, whose chief executive hailed from Wolverhampton and so had an interest in its community projects for young people.

The project and its accompanying support networks were commended as it was felt that the sense of community and shared experience was an excellent way to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. It was thought that the project had exceeded all expectations and gratitude was expressed to all partners who had contributed and helped the project succeed through difficult times.

Resolved:

1. That the annual update report on the Wolverhampton House Project be received.

2.    That the Corporate Parenting Board note the progress of the Wolverhampton House Project within the first twelve months.