On 14 July Lady Kina Avebury spoke at the event to celebrate the completion of the re-developed site of St Giles, which is owned and managed by Springboard Housing Association, part of Genesis Housing Group. It is a supported housing project for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems in rural Essex.

A special lunch alongside a tour of the site were held, with music, singing and line dancing by residents of St Giles and classical Indian dance by Eastwards Trust. Residents from Eastwards Trust (a charity set up to support Asian elders in Newham) presented a tapestry they made especially for St Giles, to mark the new beginning, and the vision and values shared by both schemes.

Set in 22 acres of Essex countryside, near East Hanningfield, Chelmsford, this historic scheme has a rich history dating back to 1913 when it opened as the Hospital and Homes of St Giles, run by a Franciscan Order of monks. From that time until 1985, when Springboard took over St Giles, the present day, St Giles provided care and medical attention for those suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy). With the decline in this disease and the development of effective treatment, it was decided to provide instead, homes for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.

Surrounded by fields, gardens and woodland (some of which has been leased to the Woodland Trust for the last 20 years), this unique housing community comprises 40 new, high quality contemporary homes and a modern community block as well as rental facilities. Accommodation includes a mixture of single and two-storey flats and bungalows for singles, couples and wheelchair users.

Other facilities (some of which are available to let) include a communal lounge and dining room, function rooms, craft and pottery rooms, an IT suite, extensive grounds with a pond, greenhouses, allotments and woodland, access to local care and domiciliary support agencies and a range of on and off-site activities run by the local college and volunteers. There is also a chapel and a rare species of orchid growing in the grounds.

Within the security of the community of residents, staff and volunteers, all are encouraged to find pleasure and purpose in their own independence. Residents contribute, in whatever manner they are able to, to the wellbeing of the whole community by being involved in the activities of daily life at St Giles.

Residents are also encouraged to be occupied meaningfully through pottery, woodwork and craft projects, and the extensive gardens, which include a large greenhouse, provides opportunities for gardening activities.

Robert Elford, a resident at St Giles, said, "I love living at St Giles. I have lots of friends and enjoy all the activities - especially the line dancing. It's lovely and quiet, and I have my own space. My mum loves coming to visit."

Lady Kina Avebury, Vice President (and past Chair) of Springboard, and Patron of Eastwards Trust (also part of Genesis Housing Group), said "I am thrilled to be here today. St Giles has been beautifully transformed and today is a magnificent opportunity to celebrate. St Giles recognises peoples' abilities, not their disabilities. It recognises what people can do and achieve and the residents have a very good quality of life.

While it is situated here in the depths of the Essex countryside, people from the local community come in and residents here go out into the community."

Harton Bailey, Managing Director of Springboard, said "We at Genesis are proud to be associated with such a rich and unique scheme as historic St Giles. The scheme exemplifies the spirit of community and there is a strong sense of wellbeing which Genesis seeks to create for all its customers. This has been made possible thanks to the passion invested by Springboard, its residents and the wider community over the last 25 years and the financial support provided by Genesis. The successful re-development of the site will further improve the lives of the people who live, work at and visit St Giles, and marks a new chapter in the life of this warm spirited and active community."

Picture caption: Lady Kina Avebury re-opens St Giles

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For further information about Springboard or Genesis Housing Group, please contact Diana Evans on 020 7563 0028 / email diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

Notes to editors

St Giles - further background information
In 1914 an appeal was launched "privately and very discreetly so as not to cause any public alarm" to raise funds for a hospital to help people suffering from leprosy in Great Britain. In the same year, what was to become the Hospital and Homes of St Giles, East Hanningfield, was formed.

In 1984 Springboard was asked to take over the management of The Hospital and Homes of St Giles, which it did from the beginning of 1985. The number of people suffering from leprosy to be cared for had fallen to nine. St Giles, as the home had become known, was therefore opened up as a home for single people with a wide variety of needs besides leprosy, but characterised by those who could benefit from the care and support received in a quiet rural environment.

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads, Springboard, St Matthew housing associations and Eastwards Trust. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

Springboard joined Genesis Housing Group in April 2005 and currently supports more than 5,000 households in 24 local authority areas across London, Essex and Hertfordshire. In addition to general needs housing, shared ownership and leasehold properties, Springboard specialises in supported housing for older people and those with special needs.

Eastwards Trust is a leading provider of sheltered and supported housing, social care ‎and support services to Asian and ethnic minorities, older people and adults ‎with learning difficulties. We pride ourselves in being an organisation that works with diverse communities ‎and is inclusive of a wide range of needs in delivering services. Our services are ‎innovative and empower users to live independently and participate fully in ‎community activities.‎

It has a commitment to providing quality services by working in partnership ‎with a wide range of voluntary, statutory and private sector providers.

By ‎undertaking research on need and developing appropriate models of service ‎provision, it is able to contribute to local and national social policy-making ‎processes. Addressing discrimination and inequality in services to older people ‎and adults with learning disabilities is an integral part of its work in creating a ‎wider awareness of the particular need of the communities it works in.