BRADBURY GARDENS SCHEME NOMINATED FOR MULTIPLE AWARDS
Bradbury Gardens, in Pittville, Cheltenham, is a finalist in the best inclusive building category of the West of England LABC Building Excellence awards.
If it wins the regional title on May 6, the charity will go on to the national finals.
The development has also been shortlisted for the SWBE (South West Built Environment Awards) Project of the Year. The awards are on May 20.
Last week Bradbury Gardens won a Cheltenham Civic Trust Award.
Bradbury Gardens was designed by Cheltenham-based Coombes:Everitt and constructed by Speller Metcalfe, the third project undertaken by Speller Metcalfe for National Star.
The development, which is home to 25 young people with a range of disabilities and support needs, was officially opened by The Duchess of Gloucester last year.
The Duchess praised the design of Bradbury Gardens and how it enabled young people to be independent.
"Bradbury Gardens is beautiful," said The Duchess. "You said you wanted to create a place where we'd all like to live. You have achieved that. It's been uplifting to meet the students."
Resident Josh Reeves agrees. The 19-year-old lives in one of the flats and says it has grown his independence.
He now hopes to go into independent accommodation with some support, when he finishes at National Star in July.
"I can prepare my own meals and I like to do my own shopping and making my own choice about what I want to eat," he said.
"The flat feels like home. Thanks to how it is designed I can do things for myself and it is near Pittville Park and the centre of town. It's like Centre Parcs but with the added bonus that it is designed to enable people to be independent."
Bradbury Garden was funded through a combination of government support, private donations and support from trusts, foundations and the community.
Designed in consultation with users and staff, Bradbury Gardens enables young adults with disabilities to live as small peer groups and with access to areas for independent living as well as a centre for accessing education, personal development and therapy support.
The specialist facilities include ceiling tracking hoists, ensuite bathrooms, assistive technology, and height adjustable kitchens and baths.
Bradbury Gardens also provides respite and short break services to support families.