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On the 13th of July 2024 we celebrate 50 years of supported living homes. But what is the history of supported living in the uk? And how does Innovate Trust fit into this?
Did you know?
When 19-year-old student Jim Mansell invited Alan, a young adult with Down’s syndrome, to move into his student house, little did he know it would be the catalyst for ending institutionalised care for disabled people. Jim Mansell was part of the team that set up CUSS – now known as Innovate Trust.
Supported living has come a long way since those early days. Large institutions have been replaced by smaller, more personalised living arrangements. The focus has shifted from a one-size-fits-all approach to tailoring support to individual needs and preferences.
Moving into the first supported living home in the UK
On the 13th of July 1974, a group of three student volunteers and five adults with learning disabilities, previously housed at Ely Hospital, moved into 12 Ruthin Gardens in Cathays. During the day the group home tenants would spend their time at Trelai adult training centre while the students were attending lectures.
Supported living and social care would not be what it is today without the pioneering work of a few Innovate Trust student volunteers who cared, and five adults with learning disabilities who fought for their right to live in the community.

Stable homes, more homes
After the success of the first group home, we relocated to a more stable home at Kings Road in Cardiff in 1975. We also went on to open more group homes funded by the Welsh Office.
These homes were ran by volunteers and paid support workers. Part of our work at this time included producing reports, evaluations and recommendations for the Welsh Office and Cardiff Council, providing valuable information and guidance based on lived experience.
For the next nine years, our volunteers worked hard to raise awareness about our support model of living. They worked closely with local authorities, hospitals, and universities, sharing important information and lessons.
Their goal was to encourage others in the community to adopt similar support approaches, making a positive impact on more lives.
Short-term support in the community
Innovate Trust had many requests from people in Cardiff to help parents and carers of people with learning disabilities who lived at home. Our goal was to support everyone to have their independence, not just those who lived in forced hospitalisation.
They made the first Respite home at 2 Boverton Street in Roath. The home was loaned to Innovate Trust by a Cardiff University lecturer who was working abroad at the time.
The trial was a big success, and many people in Cardiff needed this service. Innovate Trust bought a new home on Hamilton Street with a loan from South Glamorgan County Council. The property became our permanent base for our new respite services.

Sharing Innovate Trust’s supported living model with the community
In response to the All Wales Strategy (now Learning Disability Strategic Action Plan), Innovate Trust took a lead role in either directly setting up new services or training and consulting.
The student volunteers from Innovate Trust traveled around the UK to teach other universities about their approach. They even wrote their university papers and dissertations about Innovate Trust and the charity’s work. They wanted to spread their knowledge and help more people understand and use our model.
With support from local councils, Innovate Trust established the Opportunity Housing Trust (later renamed Mirus in 2012). They gave advice, guidance, employees, and trustees to the new charity. It was a way to help even more people across the country benefit from the Innovate Trust model of supported living.
A new model of supported living, with new age technology
In partnership with Nesta, the Welsh Government, Y Lab, and Cardiff University, Innovate Trust launched a new research project exploring smart technology and the use of smart speakers for supported living tenants. We were awarded the Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s Digital Inclusion Award for the innovative and inclusive use of technology.
After the initial research project, we expanded this technology to all 197 individuals we supported in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This is the first known project of its kind.

Smart technology for everyday life
We believe everyone deserves a comfortable, independent life. That is why our Digital team partners with housing associations and local authorities to create smart homes for adults with disabilities.
We understand the importance of feeling at home. Our smart homes are designed to be just that – comfortable and empowering. We are committed to making sure that all the people we support have the highest quality of life possible.
These homes use the latest voice-activated technology, so people can easily control things like:
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Entertainment systems
Simple voice commands take care of everything.
Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities. We believe that our smart housing projects are a step in the right direction. If you are interested in learning more or working in collaboration, please get in touch with our digital team.
Supported living in 2024
The impact of supported living is undeniable. It empowers people with disabilities to live more independent, dignified, and socially connected lives. Many individuals who previously felt isolated and overlooked have found a sense of belonging and purpose through supported living and our Insight app.
Since opening the first supported living home in the UK, the development of new technologies has come about. Innovate Trust has utilised them to further support independence.
The Insight app began as a social media platform for the people we support to connect with friends and family. This became especially important during the Covid-19 lockdown. Since 2019, it has expanded more than we could ever imagine. With over 2,000 members and counting, Insight is an online space for people with learning disabilities, organisations, housing associations, and local authorities to connect and share.