From Established Care Home to a Stepping Stone for Independence
In Margate, Kent, the evolution of support services for adults with mental health and related needs has been shaped by organisations rooted in the local community.
One of the earliest and most established of these is Terrance House, a residential care home on Belgrave Road that has provided compassionate, person-centred care for adults with long-term mental health issues for many years. Terrance House is known for its warm, homely environment and its focus on promoting quality of life and independence for residents who need ongoing support and accommodation.
As Terrance House continued its work, the team recognised that not all individuals would need or benefit from long-term residential care. Many people showed real progress with therapy, life skills and confidence, but faced a gap when transitioning back into community living.
There was a growing need for a service that could act as a stepping stone between structured care and fully independent living.
House 21 Supported Living
In response to this need, the neighbouring property on Belgrave Road was developed into what is now House 21 Supported Living. House 21 was created to provide an aftercare and re-enablement centre offering personalised therapeutic programmes and practical support to help people build daily living skills, regain confidence and prepare for life back in the community. Its focus is not on long-term care, but on helping residents progress realistically towards greater independence.
House 21’s approach draws on the values that made Terrance House successful, respect for individuality, person-centred planning and supported living for wellbeing, while adding a clear emphasis on rehabilitation, life skills and community reintegration.
The centre provides a calm, supportive environment where people can work with specialist staff on achievable goals, structured around their own needs. This model has made House 21 an important complement to traditional residential care and a meaningful next step for people ready to translate progress into everyday life.
Our Future in Margate
Together, Terrance House and House 21 represent a thoughtful continuum of care in Margate. The team remain committed to evolving their services in response to changing needs and looks forward to supporting individuals from the local community and beyond for many years to come.
Their shared vision is to continue providing safe, structured, and compassionate environments where people can rebuild their confidence, achieve stability, and move forward with hope.