Success stories

Property No. 10 – 2 bedroom cottage.

Our 10th successful applicant is now settled in their new property in Wighton.  Elliott Rands and Kellymarie Barrett moved into their new home at the end of March 2010.  Elliott manages the Country Garden fruit and veg shop in Staithe Street and his partner, Kelly works at Dorrington House in Wells.  Elliott born in Wells and says it’s great to have a nice place of their own.

Property No. 9 – 2 bedroom first floor flat.

Our 9th success story was to assist in providing sisters Tarnya and Natasha Mitchell with a 2 bedroom flat in the centre of town.  The sisters are both from Wells and work locally. This property was the second to be made available, at an affordable rate, by a local landlord for which we are extremely grateful.

Property No. 8 – 2 bedroom ground floor apartment.

The 2 bedroom property, owned by the Quakers, was allocated to Amy and her young daughter.  Despite separating from her partner, Amy was unable move out as there were no affordable properties in the town.  It was important for Amy to stay in Wells as she works locally and relies on support from her family, who also live in the town.

Property No. 7 – 2 bedroom first floor apartment

Gemma-May, her partner Steven along with their baby son moved into their new home, on the edge of town, at the beginning of March. The couple had been living in a flat in the centre of town that was poorly maintained and had been desperate to find a more suitable property they could afford.

Gemma , who works in Wells, wanted to remain close to her family and be able to bring up their baby son in the town she grew up in. Her partner, Steven, who has lived here for the past 3 years and works in Fakenham, previously worked in the fishing trade based in Wells and has recently joined the towns Lifeboat Service

Property No. 6 – 2 bedroom mid terraced cottage -

Iain moved into his new home at the beginning of February. Iain is a self employed builder and has lived in Wells all of his life. He recently separated from his partner and was forced to move back in with his parents as he was unable to find affordable accommodation in the town.

It was important for Iain to stay in the town as he has a young daughter who he looks after part of the week and who attends school in Wells.

Property No. 5 - 2 Bedroom Cottage -

Leon and Claire and their young son moved into the property in the middle of December enabling them to spend Christmas and the New Year in their new home.  Leon, who has lived all his life in Wells, works as a HGV driver and Claire has been working for the past 7 years as a teaching assistant at Wells Primary School. 

The couple had been searching for local affordable accommodation for many years without success.  Their previous property was cramped and unsuitable for bringing up a family.  The HfW property will mean that they can finally have a comfy home with outside space all the family can enjoy.  Leon said 'no-one has ever offered us anything.  The house is great and I can even watch the football matches along the Beach Road without leaving the comfort of my home'

Property No. 4 - 1 Bedroom First Floor Flat -

Jemma works as a Care Assistant at a local day care centre, Heritage House, and was desperate to find affordable accommodation in the town to enable her to move out of home and become more independent.  HfW managed to find her suitable accommodation, close to where she works, and she moved in at the beginning of December 2008.

Property No. 3 - 2 Bedroom Bungalow

Gaynor and Matthew along with their new addition, Adelaide, moved to a 2 bedroom bungalow in the town in November 2008.  Although the arrival of a new baby and moving house all within a month was never going to be easy the family were looking forward to enjoying their first Christmas in their new home.

Gaynor runs a local beauty salon and her husband Matthew, is employed locally and is also a member of the voluntary Wells Fire Service.

Property No. 2 - 2 Bedroom Ground Floor Flat -

Stephanie (23) has lived in Wells all her life and was allocated a 2 Bedroom Ground Floor Flat in August 2008.  She had been living with her 18 month old son at her mothers’ house in the town.   Although very appreciative of her mums’ support Stephanie says it was very crowded with them all living under the same roof.

She works part time as a waitress/chef in a local café and relies heavily on her family for childcare while working.  Once settled into their new home Stephanie is has plans to enroll James in the local playgroup and then on to Wells Primary & Nursery School.

Property No. 1 - 1 Bedroom First Floor Flat -

Mark (26) was allocated a 1 Bedroom First Floor Flat in August 2008. He comes from a family who has spent all their lives living and working in Wells.  He has been a self-employed fisherman for the past 11 years, since leaving school.  Mark has a 2 year old daughter, who lives close by and says it is imperative that the regular contact he has with her, continues as she grows up.

A member of the Wells Lifeboat crew since 1998 and Inshore Lifeboat Senior Helmsman and mechanic, he is currently training and working towards a Coxswains position on the All-weather Lifeboat and is also the ALB emergency Mechanic.

Mark had a part to play in the introduction of Homes for Wells.  It was because of discussions he had with members of the Wells Area Partnership Team that the problem of finding affordable accommodation in the town was hi-lighted.