A UNIQUE housing scheme to support people with learning disabilities or mental health problems is officially being opened in Tavistock on Wednesday March 22. Fenner House in Taylor Square, built by Devon Community Housing Society, provides 14 one-bed flats and is the first such supported housing project of its kind in West Devon. The £1.5-million development is named in tribute to the late Robin Fenner, a former West Devon Borough Councillor and Tavistock town mayor who died in 2004. Mr Fenner was involved in many local good causes and fundraising events over the years and was chairman of the local Mencap Society, a charity close to his heart. He lived and worked close to Taylor Square and his widow Sheila has been invited to unveil the Fenner House plaque at the opening ceremony. West Devon mayor Jayne Hill, who will also play a leading role in the opening, said: ?Fenner House is a first class development which incorporates a scheme very much needed in West Devon. ?Many agencies and organisations, including West Devon Borough Council, have come together to make this happen and it?s a perfect example of working together for the good of the community.? Devon Community Housing Society chief executive Denis Taylor said: ?We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide much needed supported accommodation in Tavistock.? Fenner House has been developed as a result of partnership working between Devon Community Housing Society, a registered charitable social landlord, West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council social services, Devon Supporting People and the Housing Corporation. It was recognised there was no other supported housing of this kind in West Devon and given top priority by Supporting People Devon and Devon County Council. A project group was formed in 2002 with West Devon Borough Council, to take the scheme forward The project brings together a unique partnership with clients from the community mental health service and clients from the learning disability service. It is unusual for these two groups to share a development and it is working well for the residents. Built by ROK and completed in October 2005, the 14 self-contained flats include two which have been specifically adapted to accommodate people with a physical disability. There is also a staff office, a communal lounge for the residents and a laundry. Scheme co-ordinator Chris Ellis manages the project along with four support workers. The first residents moved in to their new homes last October. Applicants for the scheme have to be on the West Devon Housing Register and their application must be supported by either the mental health or the learning disability service. Mrs Ellis said the residents have settled in well: ?Some of our residents have come to us from residential homes and Fenner House has given them the confidence to pick up new skills and give them an independence which they themselves never thought they would have.?
