27/01/04 - Mother and Baby Supported Housing Unit, Lowther Street, Whitehaven

Whitehaven Community Trust Ltd has recently opened new premises on Lowther Street in Whitehaven to provide housing and support for pregnant homeless young women.  This project has been developed to meet the growing demand in Copeland for Supported Accommodation for pregnant teenagers.  

This pilot project is revenue funded by the Supporting People scheme and is being overseen by the Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation Group.  The property has 8 bedrooms, play facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and a private meeting area for families.  A team of support workers, who will be on call 24 hours, will provide help and advice to young mums. Their role will include liasing with existing support services such as Sure Start, local midwives, health visitors, Connexions and social workers to encourage the young mothers to access these services.

Christine Clark, Local Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator said

“As part of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy it is statutory for all lone teen parents to be housed in supported accommodation, where there is a need and this new project has been designed to meet that need in West Cumbria. This pilot project aims to provide an environment that will enable teenage mothers to become ‘good enough’ parents and to support them in successfully sustaining an independent tenancy.  A programme of action, based on the needs of the teenage mothers, will focus on: independent living skills; parenting skills; childcare; and training and education, will help teenage mothers to build confidence and self-esteem.” 

Brenda Lindsay, Supporting People Manager, said:

'Supporting People is a new government initiative for the provision of supported housing and housing related support services to vulnerable people throughout the County.  The Cumbria Supporting People Partnership, made up of the County Council, the six district councils, Health and Probation, was successful in bidding for pipeline funding from central government to develop this scheme to support teenage parents in Copeland'.

To enquire about a place in the project, please ring Kerry Maxwell, General Manager Whitehaven Community Trust, 01946 590590.