Taylor Wimpey goes above and beyond for Kenward Trust

Kenward Trust is Kent’s Leading Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation & Resettlement Centre. Founded in 1968, Kenward Trust is a charity that saves lives every day from alcohol and drugs, homelessness and crime. Helping people transform their lives and create a new future away from their addictions. The work at Kenward Trust spans from sessions in schools delivering early education and interventions, through to residential rehab and providing a home for residents to settle back into the community to continue their journey of recovery and independence.

The need

Kenward Trust took on the lease on a new, 14-bed property in Tunbridge Wells; Colebrook House. This accommodation is to be used as Stage 2 move-on accommodation for residents who are homeless and need assisted, ongoing recovery support. Stage 2 provides safe, supported, alcohol- and drug-free housing where residents live independently but have a designated Support Worker to guide them on their journey to long-term recovery, building stability and confidence in a peer-supported environment.

The property was previously used as a homeless hostel and has fallen into a state of disrepair. As a result, Kenward Trust need to complete a full refurbishment of the property, both to the internal rooms and external garden and patio space.

Before CRASH were involved, Kenward Trust had already started refurbishment works, with the bedrooms and communal areas completed. Kenward Trust reached out to CRASH for support with the remaining renovations to the 7 WCs, including 3 shower rooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms, 2 accessible en-suite bathrooms, and 10 sink and vanity units in each bedroom which needed replacing.

The project

CRASH Corporate Patron, Taylor Wimpey provided a total of £44,952, to date, in gift in kind value on this project. This support covered the construction materials for all bathroom spaces and vanity units, including sanitary ware tiles flooring. This value also extends to the labour needed to carry out the project, Taylor Wimpey chose Simcott as the most suitable contractor to implement the vision at Kenward Trust, due to Simcott’s zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs.

The Outcome

The refurbishment of Colebrook House has transformed the Stage 2 move-on accommodation into a safer, more dignified and restorative environment for people in the early stages of their recovery journey. Thanks to the generosity and expertise of Taylor Wimpey and their contractor Simcott, residents now benefit from:

• Seven fully refurbished WCs, including; 3 shower rooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms, 2 accessible en-suite bathrooms
• Ten new bedroom vanity units, each providing increased storage and improved functionality, helping residents keep their personal spaces organised.
• Hygienic, easy-to-clean shower units and modern sanitaryware that significantly enhance the comfort and day-to-day wellbeing of residents.

These improvements play a vital role in the recovery process. As Penny, CEO of Kenward Trust, shared at the opening:

“Recovery doesn’t stop at detox or therapy. Our Stage 2 and Stage 3 programmes are vital for giving people stability to continue in recovery. Having a safe and comfortable place to call home is absolutely essential during this challenging time. The refurbishment you’ve made possible will have a real and lasting impact – providing dignity, security and a sense of stability that makes all the difference in a tough journey. Thank you for helping us create an environment where recovery can truly flourish.’’

This project ensures that individuals facing addiction are met not only with support services, but with a home that fosters dignity, purpose and hope – giving them the best possible foundation for lasting recovery as they transition from residential treatment towards independent living.