New Millersdale living facility opens door to brighter futures for care leavers
A major milestone has been reached in St Helens Borough Council's plans to improve support for care leavers as Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nova Charlton, visited the newly refurbished Millersdale semi‑independent living facility to see the completed project first-hand.
Article date: 19 March 2025
Located in Clock Face, Millersdale provides six trainer flats for young people aged 17 and over who are preparing to transition into adulthood. The development forms part of the council's strategy to increase local placement options, ensuring young people can remain in borough close to family, support networks, education, work or training.
A review of placement provision highlighted a shortage of local, age‑appropriate accommodation for older teenagers in the borough.
Facilities like Millersdale - as well as council-run children's home, The Grove - intends to reverse that trend by offering high-quality, local options.
During the visit, Councillor Charlton toured the building and met members of the team who operate the facility, including support workers on hand to give care leavers the stability and guidance they need as they move toward independence.
Councillor Charlton said: "Millersdale will give our young people the opportunity to grow, build confidence, and prepare for adulthood within their own community. The wraparound support here means they're not just moving into a flat — they're moving into a place where they can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging."
The project has been delivered with £1.4m of funding from the Department for Education's Staying Close programme, alongside £700,000 investment from Torus 62 Ltd.
Councillor Charlton added: "Every young person leaving our care deserves to do so with aspiration and the support they need to succeed. Millersdale represents a real investment in their future and is concrete proof of our commitment as a council to make all children and young people our number one priority."
St Helens Borough Council children's services received a 'Good' rating overall from Ofsted in July 2023, with services for care leavers judged as 'Outstanding'.