Mill Bank Wellbeing Centre celebrates achievements on Starts at Home Day

To mark Starts at Home Day, Places for People’s Mill Bank Wellbeing Centre hosted an inspiring “Moscars” award ceremony celebrating the remarkable achievements of those living in supported or temporary housing in overcoming their challenges.  

For three decades, Mill Bank has been a fundamental service in Preston, providing invaluable support to homeless families and helping them overcome barriers to living life including debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, domestic violence, seeking refuge, and child services involvement.

The event honoured individuals who have overcome significant barriers over the last year to make positive strides in their lives and live independently such as securing employment, completing education, overcoming health challenges, financial management and contributing positively to the Community.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Places for People, the National Housing Federation, the office of Mark Hendrick MP, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, and Lancashire County Council, reflecting the strong partnership and Community collaboration that underpin the centre’s success.

Starts at Home Day (Friday 29 August 2025) is an annual event designed to raise awareness about the impact of supported housing in helping people transition to independent living. Mill Bank Wellbeing Centre’s ceremony was one of many across the country recognising the transformative role of supported housing schemes.

Caroline Terry, Head of Supported Housing at Places for People, said:

“At Mill Bank, we believe everyone we support is a journey worth celebrating. Starts at Home Day is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the courage and perseverance shown by those who have faced homelessness or housing difficulties, and to recognise the incredible impact of supported housing, which helps hundreds of thousands of people across the UK live independently, safely, and with dignity. 

“It’s also an opportunity to fight for change. Supported housing is a lifeline for so many and Government must not take its eye off just how big and important a part of the housing system it is. Without it, more people are homeless, must remain in NHS care or live in places that do not meet their specific needs. Many supported housing schemes face huge financial pressures, and we support National Housing Federation’s Save Our Supported Housing campaign and call for urgent and long-term Government funding to address this growing crisis.”

Ciaran Tully, External Affairs Manager, National Housing Federation, said: 

“Hearing the inspirational stories of people who have overcome such significant challenges with the support of Mill Bank Wellbeing Centre highlights just how vital the supported housing sector is for the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on support services across the country, and the transformative role it can play in people’s lives.
 
“But the future of services like this are under threat, with supported housing providers across the country facing a worsening financial crisis. This Starts at Home Day, we’re calling on the government to urgently commit to emergency, and long-term and sustainable funding for support services, so that schemes like Mill Bank can continue their life-changing work for years to come.”

Over the past 12 months, Mill Bank has made a significant impact across Lancashire, supporting 82 families and holding 1,872 support sessions to provide personalised assistance. The scheme has helped 45 residents successfully move into new homes, while securing over £30,000 in additional funding to enhance the services offered.

Mill Bank’s commitment to community involvement is reflected in the 260+ customer events and activities held during the year, along with the establishment of more than 50 local partnerships, strengthening ties throughout the region. The centre has also supported 780 women in accessing NHS maternity services and facilitated 192 specialised therapy sessions for children with complex needs, highlighting the holistic approach to care.