Move On Housing
Building skills, confidence and a network for the future
What is Move On Housing?
A stepping stone between supported accommodation and fully independent living, Move On Housing helps people prepare for successful tenancies after leaving our services – or as we like to say, to move on to their ‘forever home’. Residents have the space to manage a home and develop new skills while still having the reassurance of a key worker and a supportive community around them. Some may be learning housing skills for the first time, while others are building on existing experience – but each person has a safe, encouraging place to progress towards independence at their own pace.
Our low-support homes are for adults who are ready to take the next step towards independent living. Every person’s journey is different so we don’t work to rigid criteria – instead we look for signs of stability and motivation to move forward. We usually work with people who have a local connection and who are already engaging with the services they need, such as mental health or addiction recovery, so they have wrap-around support. Our homes are single occupancy, so we don’t have couples living together, and we’re open to accepting pets – from dogs (one per house) to smaller companions.
Referrals can come through local councils, probation services, health teams and other organisations. Every potential resident goes through a careful assessment to make sure the timing and the placement is right. This process is all about setting people up to succeed: if someone isn’t quite ready, we plan a move to higher-support accommodation instead. By matching the right person to the right home, residents have the best chance of succeeding and moving forward with confidence.
Our homes across West Sussex
To make sure we can support people right across West Sussex, our Move On Housing is organised into two areas: South (Worthing and Littlehampton) and North (Storrington, Horsham, Burgess Hill and East Grinstead). Together, these homes provide for more than 120 residents at any one time. In the South, 11 properties house over 80 people, while in the North six properties house a further 36 residents. Demand is consistently high, with waiting lists and no empty rooms, showing just how vital this service is locally.
Although our homes are spread across two areas, the approach is the same: residents receive consistent support guided by the same values of dignity, empowerment and community. Each area has its own team who know the local community well and work closely with residents to make sure support is both personal and practical. This rooted, local approach ensures every house feels part of its community.
Life in a Move On home
These properties are a supportive environment where people can grow in independence while being part of a communal household. Residents share their home, create and follow simple house rules and contribute to a positive community where everyone looks out for one another. Alongside caring for their own room, they share household chores and tend the garden, just as they would in their own home. To help newcomers settle in, each person receives a welcome pack with practical local information – from bin collections to the nearest GP, charity shops or social groups.
Support is always shaped around each individual. Key workers spend a few hours with each resident each week, offering guidance and encouragement rather than doing things for people where possible. This could mean practising budgeting, finding volunteering or work opportunities, or reconnecting with family and friends – all aimed at helping people build new networks and grow in confidence.
For those in second-stage recovery, our abstinent houses offer a structured, safe space to remain substance-free, with links to relevant support groups if residents choose. Across all properties, people can also access Turning Tides’ wider services, from employment and skills coaching to mental health and substance use workers. When someone moves on, we continue to offer aftercare during the crucial first six weeks of their new tenancy, giving them the best chance of success.
“Turning Tides has helped me so much. They’ve done nothing but support me with anything and everything – whether it be talking to somebody about my problems and my past trauma, or supporting me with applications for things. They’ve helped me get on the Council housing list. This house is lovely. The other people are amazing – everyone is so helpful and it’s like another family.”