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- Pembrokeshire Frame
Pembrokeshire FrameProvides work for people with mental health problems or disabilities through its horticultural project
More InfoA DIFFERENT WORLD
- Pembrokeshire Frame
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Provides work for people with mental health problems or disabilities through its horticultural project
More Info
Lorica Trust
Background
Formed in 1985, the Lorica Trust began as a homeless hostel in Hove, East Sussex. Since then, it has grown to encompass a number of projects for people who are not able to look after themselves. In 2005, when a farm in East Clayton, West Sussex came on the market, the charity conceived a project to build the UK’s first ever housing scheme offering young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities the chance to own their own home.
How we helped
Lorica negotiated a long lease from the owners of East Clayton Farm, the National Trust. But because the young people were not due to pay their mortgages until they had signed their contracts and moved in, Lorica needed bridging finance to fund the conversion of the farm into eight flats. The trust’s own bank was unable to help, so Charity Bank was approached. A loan of £750,000 over 18 months was agreed. “We have a very good relationship,” says Lorica trustee Doug Sanders. “The feeling I had was that Charity Bank were a very important stakeholder and partner in the development with us.”
Impact
The housing project, Bradbury Court, was completed in June 2009. The young people, aged between 18 and 27, moved in three months later. Through their parents they have purchased about two thirds of the value of the property under a contract with Lorica. The rest is leased to them and they pay a rent and service charge to cover Lorica’s costs in financing and operating the development. The young people have come either from residential care or living with their parents, and the experience of living in their own home has made a visible difference to their health and social interaction. Gina Kerr, whose daughter now lives at Bradbury Court, says: “She has not been as content and happy for many years. She has a wonderful home, is part of a small community with links to the wider community and is close to her family.” Lorica, which has repaid the £750,000 loan, would like to replicate the development in another part of the country.
www.lorica.org.uk