Christine Court, part of the Great Places supported accommodation scheme, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to support vulnerable families by unveiling a newly refurbished communal room: a warm, inclusive space designed to foster wellbeing and connection.
This new room, which officially opened this autumn, was a six thousand pounds investment from Great Places Community Investment team, and is already transforming daily life for customers. Equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi, books, toys and comfortable seating, it offers a safe and welcoming environment for both adults and children to relax, socialise and participate in a growing calendar of activities.
“This new communal room is more than just bricks and mortar,” said Martyn Parry, Housing & Wellbeing Manager. “It’s a symbol of our commitment to wellbeing, independence and community spirit. We’re thrilled to see customers making it their own.”
Martyn also praised the collaborative effort behind the refurbishment:
“I’d like to thank our Community Investment team for providing the funds to reimagine the space, and a special shout-out to our caretaker, Scott Donoghue, who took time out of his regular duties to complete the finishing touches and DIY tasks. It’s been a real team effort.”
Background on the scheme
Over the past 12 months, Christine Court has welcomed 19 families from temporary placements and supported 17 families into permanent social housing. The addition of two new properties in October increased the scheme’s capacity to 12, allowing more families to transition out of homelessness.
Also in this scheme, we recently welcomed our first single father family unit, offering a space for all type of parents in need of a home to feel comfortable and safe. But support at Christine Court goes far beyond housing. Customers benefit from strength-based support tailored to their individual needs, including referrals to local charities, cooking and budgeting skills, employability coaching, financial resilience advise and mental health support.
“We focus on promoting independent living,” explained Luke Metcalfe, Housing & Wellbeing Officer. “Our goal is to empower families to move forward with confidence, and the new communal space plays a big role in that.”
Designed by customers to fulfil their own needs
The vision for the communal room was shaped directly by customers during feedback sessions. They asked for a space that was child-friendly but also relaxing for adults, a place where they could unwind, connect and feel at home.
“We spoke about colour schemes, furniture and what would make the space feel like their own,” said Luke. “The result is a room that reflects their needs and aspirations.”
Chelsea and Emma, two customers, highlighted the impact of the improvements:
“There are more activities for the children now. My son can play indoors during winter and has made friends here. I’ve met other mums in similar situations and feel part of a community rather than isolated.”
Aysha, 25, has lived at Christine Court with her daughter for just over a year:
“From the start, it’s felt so warm and welcoming. The staff and residents make it feel like more than just accommodation, it feels like a community.
These activities give everyone something to look forward to and come together, which can make a big difference when you’re going through a difficult time.”
Mollie, another customer, shared:
“Living here has helped me grow more confidence and make new friends. It’s also helped me create a happy and safe environment for my daughters. The support we get is great.”
What’s next
The new communal room will host a variety of events in the coming months, including a Halloween party, a Christmas celebration and cooking lessons with Paula. Customers will also have access to career advice and college courses delivered via the new screen installed in the room.
“We’re working with our Employability and Skills team to bring more opportunities into the space,” said Luke. “It’s about creating a place where people can thrive.”
Christine Court also partners with Trafford’s rough sleeper team and receives support from social services, ensuring wrap-around care for customers. Feedback from families and professionals has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve seen a real shift in customers’ wellbeing and social connections,” said Martyn. “There’s more interaction, stronger social bonds and a shared pride in maintaining the space.”
Wellbeing is monitored through one-to-one sessions and quarterly feedback surveys, which have shown increased engagement and improved mental health since the room opened.
In Luke’s words: “This new communal area is testament of Great Places commitment to provide practical, safe and comfortable spaces to its customers. It also shows the importance of social spaces for children, where they can interact with peers and feel safe in their community. Above all, it shows that we value our customers, their views, and their right to feel safe and supported by their housing provider”.
