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Thera is a group of companies that support adults with a learning disability in their own home, at work, in their local community and for short breaks.

Forward Housing

housingForward Housing was formed as limited company and a registered charity in August 1999. Its principal objective is the provision of accommodation for people with a learning disability and its first task was to acquire 11 properties in south Devon and Torbay which at the time were owned by the NHS. All the properties were registered care homes for people with a learning disability and the homes were operated by Forward transferLiving, a sister charity of Forward Housing. In total the properties provided accommodation for 71 people. The properties were transferred to Forward Housing on 1st January 2001.

Forward Housing decided it needed the help of another organisation to improve the properties and opporunities for people living there. After some research Thera Trust was identified as a charity which shared Forward Housing's commitment to people with a learning disability and Thera also partnershiphad experience of working in partnership with housing associations to provide high quality accommodation for people with a learning disability. In 2009, Forward Living joined Thera Group and developed into Thera South West.

In February 2010 through discussions with the NHS, Forward Housing was able to enter into tenantsarrangements with Progress Care Housing Association which saw the properties cease to be registered care homes and the people living in them became tenants of Progress Care Housing Association.

memberA programme to refurbish the properties and make them more suitable for support at home started in January 2012. Thera South West continues to provide care and support to people living at these addresses.

Forward Housing finally became a member of the Thera Group in August 2010.

You can see our latest report and accounts here.