Spring Meadows: Designed for the Next Step

When Dawn and Amanda talk about Spring Meadows, they keep coming back to one idea. This is not a place where life pauses. It is a place designed to help young people move forward. Spring Meadows is the newest short breaks service from Progress, and for its deputy manager and registered manager, it represents a clear shift in what support can look like when a home is built with purpose from the ground up. 

The journey to get here has not been quick. For nearly a year, plans changed, dates moved and expectations had to be carefully managed. Staff were shown images, talked through ideas and asked to be patient while the building slowly took shape. Dawn and Amanda describe it as a lesson in persistence, but also in trust. Trust that the wait would be worth it. 

Now that Spring Meadows is finally opening its doors, the focus is firmly on what comes next for the young people who will live there. 

At the heart of the service is independence. Not independence as a buzzword, but independence in the small, everyday moments that shape adult life. Cooking meals. Cleaning. Doing laundry. Taking responsibility for shared spaces. Being part of a household, rather than simply living in a building. 

“This is a home,” Amanda explains. “Not a three-storey block shared with others, but a proper house where young people can contribute to all aspects of daily life. That sense of belonging makes a huge difference.” 

Space plays a big role in that. At Spring Meadows, the environment works with the support, not against it. Adaptations are built in. Rooms are purposeful. Young people can choose calm or activity, privacy or connection. 

For Dawn, that difference is transformative. “The space alone reduces triggers,” she says. “Young people do not have to be on top of each other. They can step away, regulate themselves and come back when they are ready.” 

The garden has become a symbol of what Spring Meadows stands for. There are plans to grow fruit and vegetables, bring them into the kitchen and prepare meals together. It is about understanding where food comes from, making healthy choices and taking pride in something you have helped to create. 

But the thinking goes further. Dawn and Amanda talk about future possibilities. Small enterprise ideas like sharing produce with other services. Building confidence that could lead to volunteering or work placements. Each step is designed to gently prepare young people for supported living and life beyond the service. 

“It is about the next destination,” Dawn says. “Helping them feel ready for whatever comes after this.” 

Location matters too. Spring Meadows sits in a quieter, greener area, away from heavy traffic and constant noise. Windows can be opened to fresh air and birdsong instead of engines. For young people with complex health needs, that calmer environment is more than pleasant. It supports wellbeing in a very real way. 

At the same time, the service is not isolated. Shops, buses and transport links are still close by, giving young people access to the wider community while enjoying the benefits of a peaceful setting. Dawn describes it as the best of both worlds. 

The team is also thinking carefully about culture and identity. With more space comes the ability to celebrate properly. Not just Christmas, but different religions, cultures and traditions throughout the year. Food, music and decorations will be shaped around the young people who live there, with families involved where needed. For Dawn and Amanda, these moments are not extras. They are part of preparing young people for adult life. Learning about each other. Sharing experiences. Feeling seen and respected. 

Staff preparation has been just as deliberate. A detailed service manual, walkthroughs, short videos and phased inductions are all part of helping the team feel confident in a new and much larger environment. The expectation is not perfection from day one, but curiosity, creativity and a willingness to support young people to take their next steps. 

“It will feel overwhelming at first,” Amanda admits. “But once staff see the young people thriving, they will thrive too.” Spring Meadows is ready. Ready to support a wider range of needs. Ready to remove barriers. Ready to help young people move forward with confidence.  

When asked to sum it up, Amanda calls it holistic, calming and beautiful. Dawn chooses a simpler word. 

“Magical,” she says. “Because in this home, we really can make a difference.” 

Designed for the next step, Spring Meadows is exactly that. A place where growing up is supported, independence is nurtured, and the future feels a little closer than before. 

Inquire about our short break offerings today. Send an email to our Placements Team: referral@progresscare.co.uk