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New Start is a family-run, not-for-profit organisation in Liverpool, which was established in 1997 for the purpose of providing residential and supported accommodation services for homeless people or people with little or no housing choice.
New Start exists to provide:
- a safe, quality home for vulnerable adults;
- a wide range of quality support to meet the needs of our service users and to be continually supportive to service users whose needs are changing and developing; and
- an environment that is caring and understanding, where everyone is listened to and given respect.
New Start aims to provide high standard services that enhance the quality of life for our service users by;
- providing safe environments in which to live;
- promoting healthier lifestyles;
- providing support to achieve and sustain economic wellbeing;
- encouraging participation in meaningful activities;
- developing confidence and ability to have greater choice, control and involvement within the service and wider community; and
- ensuring fair access to our service and striving to respond to the diverse needs of service users.
A brief history of New Start
The family business behind New Start began trading in 1972 as a building and development company purchasing and renovating properties and carrying out contract repair and maintenance work for housing associations across Merseyside. Through the 1970’s and 80’s our company built up a substantial portfolio of property within the Liverpool area and we were approached by numerous housing and care organisations looking for accommodation where they could provide various levels of supported housing.
During the mid 1990’s our company was letting a substantial proportion of its property portfolio to supported accommodation providers, and as those service users who were accessing our accommodation often needed support in order to sustain their tenancies, the business began to take a new direction as a social landlord.
It was at this time, that our company acquired Strathmore Lodge in the Newsham Park area of Liverpool, for the purpose of providing move-on accommodation for the Field Lane Hostel. Initially, the service users referred to Strathmore Lodge had a history of recurring homelessness and many suffered from a wide range of problems including, drug and/ or alcohol dependency, enduring mental illness and learning disabilities. We quickly identified that some residents were extremely vulnerable and susceptible to bullying and victimisation, and that in order for them to sustain any sort of long term accommodation; they needed to be within a safe and secure environment. In 1997, New Start was incorporated with the specific aim of providing the necessary support services to create that safe and secure environment for service users.
New Start, Today
New Start now employs approximately 30 members of staff, dedicated to providing accommodation based support services to meet the diverse needs of over 130 service users across Liverpool.
In November 2005, New Start became accredited with Supporting People for being competent in ‘accommodation based services for people with alcohol problems/ mental health and single homeless’.
New Start is funded by Supporting People to provide two contracts; an accommodation based service for 15 residents with enduring mental health problems (Prospect Lodge) and an accommodation based service with floating support for 77 residents with generic support needs (New Start’s Supported Tenancies). In addition to this, New Start has recently developed an innovative resettlement project, which currently consists of 35 households within the private landlord sector. For more information regarding New Start’s accommodation please click here.
In 2005, New Start was awarded the Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) Family Business Award for the category ‘Contribution to the Community”. New Start was given the award to recognise and celebrate the unique contribution that the organisation has made to the region’s economy, history and culture.
In May 2008, New Start was awarded Investors In People recognition, and is now recognised as meeting the requirements of the Investor In People Standard.
Please feel welcome to explore our site. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, or would like more information regarding the service that New Start provides please click here.
