- Resonance Supported Homes Fund invests £1.6m into homes for people with learning disabilities and autism
- Old Mansfield nightclub brought back to life with conversion into eight apartments, plus community and office space
- Official opening event as tenants move into The Old Eight Bells development.
A prominent former nightclub in Mansfield has been officially opened as apartments for people with learning disabilities.
The development also includes community spaces alongside office space for mental health and disability charity United Response, which will provide on-site support and activities for tenants.
The Old Eight Bells, which has been empty since 2018, has been transformed thanks to £1.6m of funding from social impact investor Resonance to convert the space into eight apartments, with the last tenant due to move in next month.
Tens of people attended the launch event yesterday, including investors, landlords, tenants and their families.
Ben Harrison, Senior Consultant at Resonance, said: “We’re delighted to breathe new life into this historic building in the heart of Mansfield town centre.
“We’re proud to work with our partners to provide much-needed supported homes for members of the community.”
The Old Eight Bells was last used as the Urban Cherry nightclub and forms part of Mansfield District Council’s Church Street rejuvenation plan.
The project is funded by the Resonance Supported Homes Fund, with Barrow Cadbury Trust and Better Society Capital providing investment as a direct response to Nottinghamshire’s shortage of high-quality supported housing.
The properties are being leased by Resonance to United Response, who will provide both landlord and support services to the tenants. The charity will also run the community space housed in the building.
Mark Dyer, Development Manager at United Response, said: “Our work with Resonance Supported Homes Fund is delivering incredible outcomes for people with learning disabilities or autistic people.
“Through our partnership, we have been able to develop high-quality housing for people we support in the heart of their own community. We’re hugely grateful for their support of our recent project, Church Street in Mansfield.
“The development enables people to live independently and experience town centre living with the security of on-site support. There is also community space where people can make new friends and develop new skills.”
The new service and people supported by United Response are also benefiting from a £17,000 grant donated by the Morrisons Foundation, which will help fund activities for both tenants and the local Mansfield community.
Maxine Spry, Fundraising Manger at United Response, concluded: “Partnerships like this show what’s possible when charities, funders and the local community come together. It’s not simply about creating housing, but also opportunities to thrive.”
One of the first tenants moving in is Emma Dodd, who has Down’s Syndrome. She has always lived in Calverton with her twin sister Aynsley and has enjoyed the backing of a big family.
Unfortunately, her mom passed away when she was just 17 and this left her dad being the main carer and support, with Aynsley increasingly helping her adjust to life after Covid.
Emma, who navigates life with therapy dog Robin, has been looking to move into independent living for some time, but needed to find the right property with the right wraparound support.
“It’s taken a long, long time to find somewhere that was going to meet her entire needs,” commented Aynsley.
“For Emma, and anybody else that is living with a disability, it is essential that they feel able to live their life as independently as possible but still receive the right amount of care and support that they need.
“Thanks to United Response and Resonance, she now has her own space, her own friends and is taking part in lots of meaningful activities.”
“Emma now feels she is important, and her voice is being heard.”
About the Resonance Supported Homes Fund
The Resonance Supported Homes Fund is a social impact investment property fund launched in July 2020 to provide much needed long-term homes for people with learning disabilities and autism.
The fund raised £15.2m in investment from four impact investors: Better Society Capital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Barrow Cadbury Trust and Oxfordshire County Council.
So far, it has bought 32 properties (a mix of single-occupant properties and shared supported housing) across the UK. 20 of these properties are being leased to the fund’s two housing partners, United Response and Golden Lane Housing, and between them, they are now providing housing and 24-hour support to over 40 people with learning disabilities and autism.
The fund is due to purchase all its intended properties in the next few months.