People with mental health conditions
People with mental health conditionsWhat "home" means to people
Across engagement activities, people with mental health needs described “home” as fundamentally about safety, privacy, stability and predictability. Home was closely linked to emotional security and recovery, shaped by past experiences of trauma, exploitation, homelessness or unsafe living environments.
Participants emphasised the importance of feeling safe and protected, having control over their own space, and knowing that support is available when needed.
"Having my own front door."
"Having my own kitchen, bedroom and living room is very important. I need my own private space, but I also like knowing people are around."
"Feeling safe is top priority."
"I did not want to ask for help in case they sectioned me. I thought if I said I was struggling I might lose my home and end up back in hospital."
For many, home was not simply a place to live, but a space where they could feel secure enough to rebuild confidence and manage daily life.
People described current supported accommodation positively because it provided a sense of security and predictability that they had not experienced previously.
Participants also spoke about the importance of having support available when needed, while recognising that access to support could be variable. Some described feeling hesitant to ask for help, particularly where past experiences had created fear that seeking support could lead to hospital admission or loss of their home. This highlights the importance of trusted, trauma informed support relationships alongside housing.
Our strategy will prioritise housing that supports recovery, reduces anxiety about future moves, avoids re-traumatisation, and enables people to live in safe, well connected environments with support that is reliable, trusted and proportionate.
Current provison
| Sub area | Number of supported living units | Percentage of total units |
|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | 8 | 42% |
| West Cumbria | 10 | 53% |
| Out of county | 1 | 5% |
| Total | 19 | 100% |
Estimated need of supported housing by 2039 (units)
| Area | Units |
|---|---|
| Carlisle | 38 |
| Lakeland Fringe | 56 |
| LDNP North Lakes (West) | 4 |
| LDNP North Lakes | 4 |
| Millom | 3 |
| Rural Carlisle | 9 |
| Solway Coast to Lakes | 12 |
| West Cumbria | 42 |
| Total | 118 |
Short term and medium term priorities
Short term and medium term prioritiesThe short term priorities for 2026 to 2028 are:
- increase the supply of move-on accommodation with floating support attached by 35 units
- improve access to different tenancy types that can help support tenancy sustainment
- work with developers and landlords to implement supported housing solutions for people who have forensic needs
- develop a dynamic demand forecasting model that captures the pipeline of young people transitioning from children’s to adult services
- provide stable housing pathways with clear information about what happens next
The medium term priorities for 2028 to 2031 are:
- increase the supply of move-on accommodation with floating support attached by 39 units
- agree plan to increase the supply of step-down accommodation from acute settings
- commission specialist services at a local level to meet customer needs based on evidence of demand and understanding of the market
- ensure the availability of step-up, step-down accommodation
- encourage a mix of ‘mainstream’ and specialist Registered Providers to increase market capacity
- ensure there is access for older people with mental health conditions to age designated supported accommodation as required, such as retirement or sheltered housing and extra care housing