07 Nov 2022
Stonewater helps employees become homeowners
The myOwnHome scheme has helped more than 30 colleagues to buy their own homes so far.
14 Jun 2022
The importance of digital upskilling
The coronavirus pandemic put into sharp focus just how important it is to have essential digital skills. From staying connected to loved ones to buying food, being able to easily get online was a necessity – especially as most of the country’s workforce was required to work from home for the first time in their careers.
16 Mar 2022
New way of working is a win-win
Stonewater’s new hybrid working model is based on flexibility and accommodating how each individual wants to work in order to achieve the best results for themselves, our customers and the organisation.
23 Feb 2022
A safe space to breathe
February is dedicated to LGBTQ+ History Month, an annual celebration that allows us to reflect on the past and what has been achieved to promote equality for all, whilst also highlighting what more must be done.
17 Dec 2021
myOwnHome: new employee benefit inspires home ownership
Anne-Marie Alexander, Commercial Services Team Leader, was stunned to learn that she could achieve her goals of homeownership thanks to Stonewater’s myOwnHome – an innovative employee benefits scheme designed to allow colleagues to overcome barriers preventing them from owning their own home, through shared ownership.
02 Sep 2021
Starts at Home: Maddie’s story
Stonewater currently provides safe accommodation and specialist support to 521 people across its supported housing and domestic abuse services.
02 Aug 2021
Ex-serviceman finds his feet with self-build scheme
Gavin Owens left the army in 2010 after six and a half years of service. Many veterans leave the military with mental and physical injuries. For Gavin, a serious head injury meant that he was unable to find suitable employment and he ended up unable to support himself financially.
26 Jul 2021
Ex-serviceman finds a new start thanks to self-build
From cold winter months sleeping in his van to now having his own cosy home and a new cyber security career in sight, it’s full steam ahead for one ex-serviceman.
15 Jul 2021
85-year-old veteran uses his skills to support community self-build scheme
The end of 2020 was strikingly downbeat for many but for one 85-year-old, retired, ex-serviceman there were a number of reasons to smile.
12 Apr 2021
How shared ownership helped one married couple buy a home
In Market Harborough, a market town nestled within the Harborough district of Leicestershire, lies a stunning development of new-build affordable homes.
25 Jan 2021
Freedom Programme
Sandra (not her real name) was an older woman referred to Stonewater’s Freedom Programme by a local Council and had experienced abuse throughout her 40-year marriage.
25 Jan 2021
South Asian Women's Refuge - Yasmin
Yasmin (not her real name) is a 30-year-old Bangladeshi woman with young children. She experienced significant domestic abuse from her husband, which had also escalated towards her two girls.
08 Jan 2021
Achieving home ownership dream in time for Christmas
Mother-of-three Nicola Henderson is over the moon to finally realise her family’s dream of home ownership thanks to a leading housing provider’s innovative employee benefit scheme. Nicola, Lettings Team Leader at Stonewater for the last four years, describes how myOwnHome has been the step-up onto the property ladder they needed.
16 Oct 2020
16 October 2020: Starting over in the middle of a pandemic
A year on from joining the Stonewater Homes team as a Property Manager, Rachel Lifton was in a position to make use of an employee benefit scheme that would enable her to overcome the barriers preventing her from becoming an independent homeowner – even during a pandemic. Here, she shares her house buying experience and why the myOwnHome scheme was pivotal in making it possible.
16 Oct 2020
16 October 2020: The importance of community
~ How one Stonewater colleague was able to buy a home in an area she felt connected to ~
There have been many lessons learned over recent months during the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of being part of a thriving and supportive community being one that most of us have recognised.
16 Oct 2020
16 October 2020: A housing association for colleagues and customers
~ A colleague from leading housing provider Stonewater explains how the organisation has helped her find a home ~
Last summer, Nick Harris, Chief Executive at Stonewater, made an announcement that changed the lives of many colleagues working for the housing provider, forever. To truly champion its mission of giving everyone the opportunity of having a place that they can call home, Stonewater announced that it would be launching its own specialist shared ownership scheme – exclusively for colleagues – called myOwnHome.
09 Oct 2020
9 October 2020: Becoming a tenant innovator by Steve Bladen
When I was invited to my first scrutiny panel meeting nearly two years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I would never have imagined Stonewater naming me as their ‘tenant innovator’ and putting me forward for an award, or even becoming vice chair of the panel. It has been a surreal journey so far, but one I am immensely proud of.
06 Jul 2020
6 July 2020: Rural housing is more than bricks and mortar
By Charlotte Brace, Special Projects Manager at Stonewater
For those of us working to keep #RuralCommunitiesTogether, Rural Housing Week is a great opportunity to explore the common challenges and rewards of developing this type of scheme and how further progress can be made to deliver more, much-needed affordable rural homes.
11 May 2020
Digital savvy Grace keeps in touch with loved ones during lockdown
Grace lives in one of Stonewater’s homes allocated for customers that are 50+. Recently and at the age of 79, Grace completed a six-week training course provided by Stonewater to improve her digital skills. Before retiring, Grace worked in an office and so was able to type but hadn’t really kept up to date with modern technology.
28 Apr 2020
Escaping the family home
RS is trans and experienced domestic abuse from her brother and father.
16 Mar 2020
From the frontline – what it’s like to work for Stonewater’s Safe Space for LGBT+ people
Manon Thomas talks to Inside Housing about what it's like to be a Specialist Coach at our LGBT+ Safe Space
13 Nov 2019
Waterworks Lane - veterans self-build project
Stonewater is leading an innovative community partnership to help armed forces veterans gain valuable construction skills, whilst building their own brand-new homes.
10 Sep 2019
Buying a home is simpler than you think
How shared ownership is making it possible for families to buy their own home
Pemberly is one of several Stonewater affordable housing communities in Weymouth, Dorset, which is enabling local people with strong links to the area to stay close to their family, friends and work.
30 Aug 2019
My baby and I were forced out of our home
After being made homeless by her husband and separated from her children, Mrs A turned to Stonewater’s South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) for support. Here, Mrs A shares her journey so far and explains how her life has been transformed in just a few months.
29 Aug 2019
Escaping domestic abuse
After years of living as a victim of domestic abuse and battling depression, Mrs T couldn’t cope any longer. Following advice from her doctor, at aged 69 she decided to leave her home and seek asylum at Stonewater’s South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR). Here, Mrs T shares her story and reflects on the misconceptions she had about supported housing.
29 Aug 2019
Working towards independent living
Shane Isaac arrived at the Swindon Foyer in August 2016. The Foyer provides safe accommodation for people facing homelessness between the ages of 16 and 25, as well as ongoing support to help its resident reach their aspirations. Here, Shane reflects on his experience of supported housing and how the Foyer has helped him change his life for the better.
28 Aug 2019
Supporting women fleeing domestic abuse
Stonewater opened its Bedfordshire South Asian Women’s refuge (SAWR) in 2008. Since its opening, Shamela Khatun has worked at the refuge – that provides housing to women and children fleeing domestic abuse, honour based violence, forced marriage and modern slavery – as a coach. Here, she reflects on her role at the refuge and the importance of supported housing.
27 Aug 2019
Helping young families get the support they need
The Quay Foyer in Poole, Dorset, provides young families facing homelessness with temporary accommodation and support, to get them back on their feet. Natalia Kerr, a Senior Coach at the foyer, has worked in supported housing for a number of years and here, she explains what she enjoys most about her job.
05 Aug 2019
I no longer need to dream about becoming a homeowner
Donna Foster wanted nothing more than to buy her own home. Like many others, she had felt the overwhelming pressures to save a deposit and found herself getting nowhere closer to her goal.
05 Aug 2019
Buying would never have been possible
Megan Watton and her husband, Benjamin, moved into their three-bedroom house in Hereford just two weeks before welcoming their first son to the world.
05 Aug 2019
We love where we live, even more now it’s ours
The £200 million Voluntary Right to Buy (VRTB) pilot gave eligible tenants like Mr and Mrs Raj, the opportunity to purchase their home at Right to Buy level discounts.
08 Jul 2019
How the VRTB scheme helped one family buy a home in the perfect location
The cost of buying a house in rural areas like Warwickshire is on average 20 percent more expensive than a property in an urban district. For aspiring homeowners like Amanda Snelson, this makes taking that first step onto the property ladder even tougher.
26 Jun 2019
How the VRTB scheme helped a long-term Stonewater resident become a homeowner
When Helen Price tuned in to watch the news last year, her ears perked up as she heard about the Voluntary Right to Buy (VRTB) pilot taking place in the Midlands.
20 Jun 2019
Stonewater helps couple in Wincanton to buy their own home
Dominic and Katie Harding have always wanted to own their own home but with house prices in the South West continuing to rise at a faster rate than incomes, getting on the property ladder can seem impossible for families like the Hardings.
28 May 2019
Here, we explain how shared ownership has helped Anita purchase a home with Stonewater.
Anita had long term aspirations of owning her own home.
22 May 2019
Stonewater helps Herefordshire couple onto the property ladder
Kelly and Colin Hughes had always dreamed of owning their own home.
08 Mar 2019
South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) – Mrs S
Mrs S came to Stonewater’s South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) fleeing extreme levels of violence and abuse from her husband and in-laws. Forced into a marriage to an older man, she arrived in the UK to find that her husband had three children who she was expected to care for.
08 Mar 2019
South Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) – Mrs K
Mrs K was housed at SAWR after episodes of domestic abuse by her husband had escalated to also target the family’s two young children.
04 Mar 2019
Isle of Scilly residents settle in rural home
Earlier this month we were contacted by an elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Davis* who lived the Isle of Scilly but were looking to move to mainland England.
01 Mar 2019
Refurb brings a trip down memory lane back to life
After his son moved into a newly refurbished Williams Court in Bournemouth late last year, Robin Durnford spotted a photo on the wall. To his surprise, he saw himself in the picture aged 20, which was taken in 1955 whilst he was on leave from the Royal Navy.
27 Feb 2019
Helping residents live independently
At the end of 2017, Chris Jones, 61, moved into one of our retirement living schemes in Leominster. Chris had previously been suffering from ill health and had spent a long time in hospital, but now he lives fully independently after being discharged and housed at the scheme with other residents.
21 Feb 2019
Finding a home for those in need
Earlier this month, we rehomed Ms. Jones* and her three children within three days after they were left homeless.
04 Feb 2019
Maesdown Evercreech
Stonewater started work on this greenfield site in December 2016 with Winsley White Ltd (a contractor from Chilcompton) with support from both Mendip District Council and Evercreech Parish Council to deliver 30 affordable homes. These properties were made available to people with a local connection to Evercreech in the first instance with 20 homes available on an affordable rented basis and the remaining 10 homes available on a shared ownership basis.
30 Jan 2019
Lagland Street
In August 2018 we completed our development of 19 homes on the corners of Globe Lane and Lagland Street in Poole Town Centre, Dorset.
20 Dec 2018
Gender violence campaign marked by local refuge
As part of the ‘16 days of action to end gender violence’, an international campaign that challenges violence against all genders, staff at Stonewater’s Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) hosted an event to raise awareness and thank all of its stakeholders and the community for their ongoing support.
14 Dec 2018
Green-fingered youths make a difference in Swindon
Young people in Swindon have improved their local environment, as well as their gardening skills, by planting trees and fruits at their residential scheme.
07 Dec 2018
Stonewater staff and contractors give something back to residents for Christmas
Staff and contractors across the whole of Stonewater have pulled together to collect donations for residents and their families in the West this Christmas.
10 Oct 2018
After unsuccessfully applying for computer lessons at her local collage, Pauline found our digital sessions incredibly useful
Pauline, 71, suffers with bipolar disorder and is quite isolated. Although she has visits from her mental health key worker and is in touch with a few of her neighbours she is estranged from her family.
10 Oct 2018
Our retirement living digital inclusion sessions have prevented Bill from feeling isolated from his family.
Tragically Bill, 66, suffered a brain injury when he was just five years old. He has spasticity of the left hand side and has little use of his left side. Bill also has arthritis, high blood pressure and type-two diabetes.
03 Oct 2018
Partnership working helps reduce family debt
One of our Tenancy Services Officers (TSOs) shares her story about a family that turned their life around after struggling with debt.
03 Oct 2018
£140,000 new four-bed house is a fantastic buy for Andover ‘shared ownership’ couple
Thanks to shared ownership, first-time buyers Rebecca and Alex Reid – and their cat Garfield – have bought their four-bedroom ‘forever home’ for just £140,000 from affordable housing provider Stonewater at the Augusta Park development in Andover.
02 Oct 2018
Digital Inclusion sessions are transforming residents lives
Earlier in the year, our retirement living scheme at New Surrey Court held a series of two hour digital inclusion sessions to help residents learn how to use computers. One of our residents spoke to us as part of #HousingDay 2018 to tell us how the sessions transformed her life.
01 Oct 2018
Our staff acted quickly to house a victim of modern slavery
When one of our Tenancy Services Officers (TSO) Hayley*, arrived to visit a block of flats, she was met by a police officer. The officer told her that they had forcibly entered into a flat to carry out a welfare check on a resident as he was a victim of modern slavery.
01 Oct 2018
Shared ownership helps Nikki become a proud homeowner
27-year-old Nikki Swift has good reason to celebrate. She’s just become the proud owner of a smart two-bedroom Stonewater home in Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby.
26 Sep 2018
Rick*, one of our employees, volunteers at a homeless shelter in Bristol.
Here, he describes some of the work he does to help homeless people in the area:
25 Sep 2018
After a breakup, sofa surfing and sleeping in a car, we found Fred accommodation in one of our schemes.
Last Christmas we received a call from a local councils’ homeless team about Fred*.
17 Sep 2018
Affordable home ownership couldn’t get much better for the Woollards
Nicholas and Miranda Woollard knew they had found the perfect affordable house to buy when they spotted their beautiful new two-bedroom Stonewater home for just under £85,000 in Seagrave Park, Sileby, near Loughborough.
31 Aug 2018
Trip to Woburn Safari Park for our Women's Refuge residents
Residents and children from our Asian Women’s Refuge (SAWR) joined residents and children who have moved on to our second stage refuge for a day trip to Woburn Safari Park recently.
30 Aug 2018
Bill reflects on his time at Hazelmead House
Bill* is a 21 year old male with a diagnosis of emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder. Prior to moving to Hazelmead House (one of our supported housing schemes for residents with mental health needs), he had a history of Class B drug use and was living at home with his mum and an abusive stepfather. All these elements caused a strain on their relationship resulting in Bill moving out of the family home.
30 Aug 2018
Anna found a safe haven at our Abingdon Foyer
Anna came to our Abingdon Foyer following three months in a mum and baby foster placement after having to leave home with her baby Jessica*. On arrival Anna found out they were the first parent and baby to be housed at the Foyer.
29 Aug 2018
Alexis* was referred to South Hampshire Women’s Refuge (SHWR) in June 2018 after fleeing an abusive marriage.
One of our residents at the South Hampshire Women’s Refuge (SHWR) has shared her story, below, as part of the NHF’s Starts at Home Day 2018, about seeking help when she needed it most.
29 Aug 2018
My story: Living in the Dorchester Young Peoples Service by Ronan
"Everything was going well after moving out of home to live with my boyfriend, but after a while the relationship hit a few bumps and I ended up moving out."
25 Jun 2018
Exeter Foyer – Photography workshop
Can you turn a shed into a camera?
You can and we did. With some expert guidance from Brendan Barry, Photography tutor, we were able to host a workshop showing residents the working of a camera and how photos are produced.
22 Jun 2018
Development South of Stoney Lodge, School Lane, North Mundham
Public Art
It is a Stonewater policy to provide a form of public art on each new development – the idea being that by enhancing the local environment, it will encourage people to take pride in their development and their local surroundings.
15 Jun 2018
An innovative heating system at Burton Gardens
This video shows an innovative new heating system that we have installed at Burton Gardens, Weobley - a fantastic example of an investment we have made which is environmentally friendly, more economical for our residents, and future proofs our homes for future applicants.
08 Mar 2018
Life-changing apprenticeship for Stephen
Seven years ago, Stephen Baker was unemployed and living in a young people’s shelter in Swindon. He could never have imagined then how an apprenticeship with sheltered and supported housing provider Stonewater would change his life and lead to a rewarding career helping others.
06 Mar 2018
Admin apprentice Harry earns while he learns
Seventeen-year-old Harry Haines, who lives in Blaby village just outside Leicester, has found his Level 2 Business and Administration apprenticeship a great alternative to A-Levels.
15 Nov 2017
Experian helps to build a positive credit rating
As part of our commitment to improving the financial capability of our customers we teamed up with Experian, Big Issue Invest and the Rental Exchange initiative - a way to build credit histories without taking on any additional credit products.
13 Nov 2017
THE GRID - bringing digital transformation to life through game-play
Like all top-performing organisations, Stonewater recognises that digital transformation is vital to the long-term success and sustainability of the organisation.
01 Sep 2017
Kyle came to our Quay Foyer seeking independence and support
After his family relationship broke down and many months of sofa surfing, Kyle came to Stonewater’s Quay Foyer in 2008 seeking independence and support to develop. Although Kyle was with us for two years, he wasn’t quite ready to progress on his journey, and ultimately left on a Notice to Quit.
01 Sep 2017
Amrita sought safety in one of our refuges for women fleeing domestic abuse
Our womens refuges provide safe and secure accommodation for women escaping abuse. Here's the story of one of our residents...
21 Jul 2017
Retirement Living residents get involved with digital inclusion programme in Dudley
Residents at Chaddesley Court, Dudley are taking time out to attend digital inclusion workshops.
17 Jul 2017
Fred and Lacey found a home through shared ownership
Fred and Lacey have finally got onto the property ladder with one of our new build homes in Nottingham.
18 Mar 2016
Apprenticeship gives Kerrie a step onto housing career ladder
When 15-year-old Kerrie Hurse from Bristol took her GCSEs in 2003 she had no idea that her life would eventually take her into a career in housing.
24 Jul 2015
Ivor Aggett, Retirement Living resident
Ivor is a resident at one of our Retirement Living homes in Southampton.
24 Jul 2015
Alex Stone, former Foyer resident
Alex was a resident at our Foyer for young people in Exeter.
22 Jul 2015
Amber Hucker, resident
Amber is a resident in one of our general needs homes situated in Western-Super-Mare.
02 Feb 2015
Abingdon Foyer helped make my life better, says Natasha
When 19-year-old Natasha Greenway moved into Abingdon Foyer as a troubled teenager she was struggling to find a direction in life. She could not have believed that two and a half years on she would be planning to move into her own flat.
30 Jan 2015
Shared ownership helps Weymouth family onto the property ladder
Electrician Dan Heys and his family knew they had found the perfect home-buying option when they discovered Stonewater’s new Pemberly shared ownership homes in Louviers Road, Weymouth.
30 Jan 2015
Specially adapted home is life-changing for Yeovil family
The Jones family thought they stood little chance of being considered for a wheelchair accessible single-storey home in Yeovil to help them care for their disabled son, Adam, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. But that all changed when the family of five were put forward by South Somerset District Council (SSDC) for a brand new, specially adapted Stonewater bungalow in Larkhill Road.