Thrive 16+ – A holistic approach to supported accommodation

14 April 2026

What is Thrive 16+?

In Somerset, there are many young people who are faced with housing-related obstacles. Our Thrive 16+ programme, funded by Somerset Council, supports young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or threatened by homelessness. This can happen for many reasons, and we are here to ensure that these young people receive the support they need to live independently and have a bright future.

We support residents who arrive with us through the following means:

A Warm Welcome

When a new resident arrives in one of our houses, our staff kick into gear, making sure that young person feels welcome and at home. Many young people arrive with very little and often feel quite nervous and overwhelmed. To help them settle in, we provide new residents with a Welcome Pack, full of essential items and nice extras, ensuring they have everything they need right from the start.

Welcome Packs include items such as bedding, dishes and cutlery, cleaning materials, toiletries, a journal and more. Our goal is for young people to feel like they have arrived somewhere they are genuinely cared for.

The magic

It is important for us that young people see us as more than a service. Many of the young people who stay with us are going through a difficult period; our staff go above and beyond to remind them of their strengths and create joyful memories.

Staff and residents meet regularly for house meetings where every young person’s voice is valued. They organise activities such as cooking, crafting, walks outside, gardening and more. These moments, often things that we may take for granted, are great ways to bring people together. Sometimes, a simple shared meal or a walk with a trusted support worker can make a huge difference.

Real stories

What better way to demonstrate the magic our staff bring than with real examples?

Nature walks

Being outside, especially in good weather, can be a huge boost to one’s mental health. The team at Arthur’s House, one of our houses in Glastonbury which works with young people aged 16-18, often encourage their residents on outdoor adventures. Residents here are lucky to have places like the Chalice Well and Glastonbury Tor right on their doorstep. Young people and staff frequently enjoy walks in these unique and beautiful settings.

Cooking clubs

Food really does bring people together. Many of our houses have begun cooking clubs, where young people and staff come together once a week to cook a meal together. Not only does this bring everyone together in the same space, chatting and laughing, but it also helps to teach valuable skills. The young people have become very engaged in the sessions, voting on recipes and getting creative with the decorations when it comes to pizza (a must).

Wardrobe help

A resident in Yeovil recently came to their support workers to tell them they had an interview for the next day, but nothing to wear. Wanting the young person to make the best impression at their interview, the staff worked together to allocate some funding to take her shopping. Together, the young person and her support worker walked to the local Primark and picked out a suitable outfit. She learned how to shop under a budget and came away feeling confident with her new clothes. The best part, she got the job!

Holiday celebrations

Holidays are an excellent time for some fun, but they can also be a difficult time for some of our residents who may not have great family relationships. Our staff always do their best to ensure every resident is considered, inviting them to help decorate, join in activities, and making sure they receive gifts.

From ice skating and elves on the shelves at Christmas, to egg and spoon races and lots of chocolate at Easter, there is no shortage of holiday fun in our Thrive 16+ houses.

Our ethos

Through the good moments and the bad, our support workers are there for our young people. Our Thrive 16+ houses are places for young people to have the safety and stability to grow and ultimately thrive.

Our Thrive 16+ service is commissioned by Somerset Council and aimed at homelessness prevention for young people aged 16-25. Read more about Thrive 16+ from Somerset Council here.

If you are currently homeless, or threatened with homelessness, you can access support by visiting the Somerset Council website.