Royalty Reopens Chiswick War Memorial Homes

HRH Countess of Wessex cuts ribbon on redevelopment

HRH Countess of Wessex has re-opened the Chiswick War Memorial Homes following its redevelopment by the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation

The ceremony took place on November 11th, the day we remember those who have given their lives serving their nation. The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation (SOSF) - is a Fulham based charity which houses and supports disabled and vulnerable ex-Servicemen and women.

HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, who is the Patron of SOSF, together with its President, Chairman and Chief Executive, the Mayor of Hounslow and Deputy Lieutenant of Hounslow unveiled a new memorial rededicating the site.

CWMH was originally built to house local servicemen disabled in the First World War and theatre impresario Oswald Stoll set up his original War Seal Foundation in Fulham in 1917 for the same purpose.

SOSF was asked to redevelop CWMH, employing Shepherd's Bush Housing Association (SBHA) as the managing developer. SBHA managed the contractors, Sandwood Design and Build and architects, Living Architects, during the construction of CWMH. The existing properties were refurbished and rebuilt within the existing structure as well as new-build homes on the same site.

Shirley Sylvester, SBHA’s head of development, said: “This is a stunning development. From the start we worked with the residents who are now living in the homes so they perfectly meet their needs. The homes offer stability and support to create a community with their new neighbours.”

CWMH now provides 36 homes and houses around 50 people including two Gurkhas who won the Victoria Cross during World War Two. The homes provide the opportunity for vulnerable and disabled ex-Service personnel and their families to rebuild their lives in adapted homes in a secure neighbourhood within a supportive ex-Service community.

The scheme includes a mix of older and younger residents and has a community “Hub” which provides an extensive range of support and wellbeing services to enable the residents to live as independently as possible and contribute positively to their community.

Mr Dhama Tamang is a leader among the Gurkha community In Hounslow. He lives in CWMH. He said: “I moved into my home in August. I’m really happy, I really enjoy living here. I wish all my Gurkha friends and relatives in Hounslow could live in a place like this.”

November 21, 2010