Coombe End residential home in Hucclecote Road has been transformed into eight new houses to support people with severe learning difficulties and behavioural challenges.

Working together, Gloucestershire County Council and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are continuing to transform services for people of all ages who have a learning disability, autism, challenging behaviour or a mental health condition.

The previous Coombe End residential home has been completely transformed into eight independent purpose-built flats.
Rather than traditional residential services each person will have their own front door.
The new centre will also assist young people aged 18 to 25 with learning disabilities who no longer use children’s services and are becoming more independent.

The development has been made possible after two years of joint working between Gloucestershire County Council, the CCG, Brandon Trust and Advance Housing, and the project has seen the previous site transformed into eight flats which are truly fit for the future.

The county council and the CCG worked in partnership to make sure the funding and necessary approvals were well supported.
Advance, a charitable organisation which provides housing and support for people with learning disabilities, has developed Coombe End, managing the project and the building aspects of the design, with support from Brandon Trust.

The construction work has been carried out by local Gloucester firm E G Carter & Co Ltd which delivered the project successfully, and on time, with funding coming from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the NHS and Advance.

Cllr Kathy Williams, Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet member for long term care said, “This is a fantastic new facility which will support people with learning disabilities. There is a growing need for this type of accommodation which helps people to live in the community.”

Dr Helen Miller, Clinical Chair at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said, “As part of our commitment to transforming care, we will be helping people with a learning disability to leave hospital, often after long stays, and live in their own home in their community.

“Coombe End will help local people with a learning disability to live independently and productively, and the CCG is proud to be a leader in helping to make this happen. Each person there will have the opportunity to develop and strengthen their social and daily living skills, allowing them to take their rightful places in our community.”

The new complex is part of the county council and CCG’s work to fulfil their Joint Challenging Behaviour Strategy and has been built in line with the government’s national plan Building the Right Support.