emh has always been an amazing organisation, here's why:
1 April 2026
There aren’t many housing associations building new supported housing these days because the challenges and risks of running them are just too great.
I went to visit emh on Tuesday to meet new Chief Executive Charley Gibbons, talk about PlaceShapers, and see what they’re up to.
The usual train journey south was made a little more interesting due to a plastic boot I’m wearing following a snowboarding accident. Yes, I know I should leave it to the young ones, but I still feel 25 at heart 😉.
I met Catherine Ryder at Loughborough train station and we travelled to Coalville to meet Charley and Joanne Tilley, Executive Director of Corporate Services.
They told us about their recent journey to ensure their focus is on the customer and make their vision statement, ‘creating opportunities for people’ a reality in the services and homes they provide. They retain the strong commitment to place-shaping that emh has always been known for but face the same challenges as others in working out how to best support their communities given all of the other priorities they are working to deliver.
We were joined by Chris Jones (Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director for Development) and Ruth Jennings (Executive Director of Care and Support) who shared some examples of their recent and planned developments.
The Springfield Scheme is a 65-apartment extra care scheme for older people and younger adults with a variety of care needs. The intergenerational nature of the scheme is not common but clearly works and reflects emh’s desire to create a place where people can live independently, receive the care they need and stay in their home as their needs change. Chris commented, ‘if it is important to customers, and important to the local authority, then it is important to us.’
We then went to see Standard Hill, a scheme emh are building in Hugglescote in Leicestershire. Phase 1, consisting of 150 homes, is well underway and some homes are already occupied. Phase 2 will start shortly with another 100 homes planned.
It’s a big site, and reflective of the impact an organisation like emh can have on a locality. The quality of the scheme means it is increasing the value of other local homes, not something you necessarily associate with social housing.
We went in a couple of houses – they were outstanding. Anyone would be happy with a home like those we saw. Tania Hurt did an excellent job explaining the support provided for customers through the process, and demonstrated the infectious enthusiasm all the staff we met showed for what emh is trying to do. She summed it up using their strapline ‘Believe in Possible’, and it’s clear she believed it.
Charley explained how they are looking to narrow the gap between the quality of their new homes and their existing homes. I know many other housing associations are exploring this as a priority so we will share any lessons that emerge from emh and others.
We ended our visit seeing a supported housing scheme for mainly women, often with children, who had previously been homeless. The standard of the accommodation and support they receive from the incredibly warm and welcoming staff we met was exceptional. I was struck by the challenges some of their customers have endured, and the very real impact emh is having on the lives of its customers.
There aren’t many housing associations building new supported housing these days because the challenges and risks of running them are just too great. But this scheme, which has replaced an older building no longer fit for purpose, offers hope, dignity and safety for the people who live there. We must make it easier for homes like these to be built in the future.
emh has always been an amazing organisation. It was great to see that Charley and his team have picked up that mantel and are busy taking it further. They really do believe in possible.