Transforming Supported Housing in Newry
Young people who have experienced homelessness, care, trauma or instability deserve more than just a roof over their heads. They deserve spaces where they can feel safe, welcomed and at home.
At MACS, we know that the environment around us can have a significant impact on wellbeing. Calm, welcoming spaces help build trust, reduce stress and create opportunities for meaningful support. Thanks to a £6,000 grant from the B&Q Foundation, we have been able to transform shared spaces within our Supported Housing service in Newry, creating environments that better support young people on their journey towards independence.
Creating Safe and Welcoming Spaces
MACS provides supported housing for care experienced young people aged 16–21 who may be experiencing homelessness or have faced significant challenges in their lives. Alongside accommodation, we provide trauma-informed support that helps young people develop the skills, confidence and stability they need to build brighter futures.
Like many charities, funding for maintaining and improving our buildings is limited. While these improvements can often seem secondary, we understand that physical surroundings play an important role in recovery, wellbeing and feeling safe.
The B&Q Foundation recognised this need and awarded MACS £6,000 to improve communal spaces within our Newry Supported Housing service.
Transforming Our Supported Housing Service
The funding has enabled us to enhance several areas throughout the building, including:
- A previously unused outdoor space.
- Two communal living areas.
- A dedicated Floating Support meeting point.
- A quiet self-reflection space.
Comfortable furniture, calming décor and carefully chosen colours have helped create spaces where young people feel relaxed, comfortable and able to connect with staff and one another.
The outdoor area has been transformed from an unused grey space into a welcoming garden with colourful planting, comfortable seating and room for young people and staff to spend time together.
Every improvement has been designed with trauma-informed practice in mind. From the colours used to the sensory elements included, each space aims to promote feelings of safety, reduce stress and provide calming environments where young people can regulate emotions and feel supported.
Supporting More Young People
The impact of the grant extends beyond the seven young people currently living within the accommodation.
The improved communal areas are also used by young people accessing our Floating Support service, creating additional private and welcoming spaces where staff can meet with young people for one-to-one support.
Having multiple comfortable spaces throughout the building has strengthened our ability to provide confidential, person-centred support while helping young people feel more at ease during conversations.
What Young People and Staff Are Saying
The changes have already made a noticeable difference.
One young person shared:
“The whole building feels less hospital-like, and the colours make everything seem bigger. I’m looking forward to the good weather and summer holidays where we can have lunch in the sun out the back.”
Another young person said
“It makes me feel more joyful when I come down out of my flat. Sometimes it could make you feel down when it was all grey and cold before.”
A member of staff reflected on the transformation:
“It’s like night and day. Young people enjoy spending time with staff now and they’re much more interactive in the new areas.”
Looking Ahead
Around 63% of the funding has already been invested, with further improvements still to come. Once all the work is complete, we plan to celebrate with an opening event and BBQ, bringing young people together to enjoy the new outdoor space they helped inspire.
We are incredibly grateful to the B&Q Foundation for investing in the young people we support.
This grant has allowed us to create spaces that are more than simply rooms within a building. They are places where young people can relax, build relationships, feel included and experience a greater sense of belonging.
For some of the young people we work alongside, this may be the first environment that has truly felt like home. Creating spaces where they feel safe, valued and supported is an important part of helping them move towards brighter futures.
The generosity of the B&Q Foundation will continue to make a lasting difference for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across our Newry Supported Housing service.
