South Somerset Homes working in partnership with
Yeovil College

23 July 2007

Yeovil-based South Somerset Homes has recently completed working on a project with two media students from Yeovil College. James Massey and Mark Case, both aged 18, took on a work experience project to make a film on the supported housing service that South Somerset Homes provides.

The students took on the project in January of this year, and it was submitted as their final year project. Filming took place at various sheltered and extra care schemes and residents were interviewed about what they think about living on a sheltered scheme. The film will be used to promote the supported housing service to key local organisations and partner agencies and those people considering a move into supported housing.

Pictured from left to right is Mark Case and James Massey with Geoff Atkinson (Chief Executive, South Somerset Homes) presenting the students with some HMV vouchers to thank them for their achievements

Supported housing is accommodation provided with individually designed support to meet the needs of the individual to live independently as possible within their own homes. Accommodation consists of good quality and affordable self contained flats and bungalows with the added bonus of help and support of a scheme manager. South Somerset Homes currently has over 50 supported housing schemes.

This is the second project that South Somerset Homes has worked on with Yeovil College students. Last year a film was made on a day in a life of a workman. The two companies are hoping to continue working together on further projects in the future.

The two students have just completed their final year at Yeovil College studying Media Studies and have been secured places at Universities in September. James is off to the University of Gloucestershire in September and is very much looking forward to the new course in Media Production.

James said, ‘I really enjoyed working with South Somerset Homes, it was a valued learning experience, and am very much looking forward to starting University in September.’

Geoff Atkinson, Chief Executive at South Somerset Homes praised the work and imagination that had gone into making the film, ‘We are thrilled to have worked with the students on this project and are pleased with the creative film. By working with Yeovil

College on this project we have been able to provide a window of opportunity for the students into working life, and it has provided excellent experience not only for the students but for the staff at South Somerset Homes too.’