Great Places recently hosted Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain for a visit to see first-hand how we are investing in homes, communities and specialist support services across the constituency. The visit began at Bowland House, where Mr Hussain met our Chief Executive Alison Dean, colleagues and customers, before touring In Partnership, Great Places’ independence and wellbeing scheme supporting women experiencing homelessness and drug or alcohol dependency.
At Bowland House, Mr Hussain heard how Great Places has invested £3.9 million transforming the 14‑storey building, improving safety, energy efficiency and the quality of customers’ homes.
The MP also heard how community-led initiatives are making a difference to customers’ lives, from the Working Wardrobe supporting people across Lancashire into work with interview clothing and practical support, to the Bowland House Community Garden Project promoting wellbeing and stronger community connections.
The visit continued at In Partnership in central Blackburn, where Great Places provides safe accommodation and specialist support for women aged 16–55 experiencing homelessness and drug or alcohol dependency. The scheme offers 17 self‑contained flats alongside communal spaces designed to support recovery and independence. Great Places also delivers floating support from In Partnership, helping people across the community to sustain tenancies and rebuild their lives.
The visit highlighted the role that supported housing plays in helping people live independently, reduce pressure on health and social care services, and support stronger communities.
Great Places owns and manages around 1,100 homes across the Blackburn constituency, providing a mix of social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and supported housing. The organisation is also continuing to deliver new homes across Lancashire, with recently completed developments and new schemes under way.
Commenting on the visit, Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain said:
The visit highlighted the positive impact that investment in homes and specialist local support can have for people in Blackburn. Seeing the work taking place at Bowland House and In Partnership demonstrated how housing associations like Great Places are helping to improve wellbeing, support independence and make a real difference for those facing significant challenges.
Alison Dean, our Chief Executive, added:
We were delighted to welcome Adnan Hussain MP and share the breadth of work we are delivering across Blackburn. From investing in existing homes and improving building safety to providing tailored support for people with complex needs, this visit reflected our commitment to going beyond housing, focusing on wellbeing, independence and building stronger communities where customers can thrive.
