Penrose Havering IAP: From “Middle of Nowhere” to Exactly Where We Need to Be

SIG Penrose Havering IAP: From “Middle of Nowhere” to Exactly Where We Need to Be

“This is the middle of nowhere,” I remember thinking as we pulled up outside the building for the first time. Not the most promising start. As it turns out, first impressions can be gloriously wrong.

One quick tour inside and I was sold. The rooms are the biggest I’ve seen in supported accommodation. The yard? Borderline enviable. And the sunroom is so bright it’s hard to imagine anyone having a bad day in it. “Fine,” I said (reluctantly), “we’ll make this work… but we need a bigger office.” Some priorities never change. Our staff will always be our first customers.

A year and a half later, after three intense months of mobilisation, Penrose Havering Independent Approved Premises opened on 2 February 2026. It’s our second service of its kind, following Penrose Drive in Elephant & Castle, with Bermondsey not far behind. When we launched Penrose Drive in 2022, we hoped to grow the model. We just didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.

Opening day is still fresh in my mind. Bright yellow cushions are being adjusted, beds are made with military precision, and a real sense of pride in the team. They arrived ready, eager, and full of experience, each bringing something different to the work and to the relationships we were about to build.

Nearly four months in, the progress has been remarkable. The team’s kindness, openness, and commitment continue to stand out. A wide range of activities now supports residents to build independence and confidence, from daily living skills and budgeting to CV writing. One of the highlights has been English and Maths sessions led by a resident. That is exactly the kind of peer-led progress we want to see.

Health and wellbeing have been central too. Five-a-side football, table tennis tournaments, and morning “walk and talk” sessions have all been well received, and, I’m told, highly competitive. These activities are not just about filling time; they build connection, confidence, and community.

The team has also made a real effort to celebrate together. Eid was marked with a shared meal cooked by staff and residents, Easter with chocolate, and more recently, a BBQ to celebrate the three-month service milestone and the many successful move-ons Penrose Havering has already seen.

Everything we do is grounded in our commitment to public protection and to supporting rehabilitation and reintegration by improving health and wellbeing, strengthening community integration, and tackling economic inequality.

None of this would be possible without strong leadership. Penrose Havering Service Manager, Mehmet Tore, was recently recognised with a SIG Leadership Award; well deserved and long overdue. Mehmet’s ability to build connections is already opening doors for community partnerships, and we’re excited about what comes next, including volunteering opportunities both for and with our residents.

So, what have I learned over the past few months? Here is some wisdom from surviving the opening of a new service:

• Everything takes twice as long as you think it will. Unless you think it will take too long, then it somehow only takes five minutes.
• Make a list. Then rewrite the list because it was too long. Then abandon the list altogether and hire a Project Manager.
• One day, you will have strong opinions about plumbing and electrics, even though your degree is in psychology. Use this knowledge wisely.
• Risk assessments, risk assessments, RISK ASSESSMENTS!
• Your contractors are your best friends. Upset them, and you’ll find yourself in voicemail jail, where no one ever answers.
• And most importantly: if you want to win people over, start with lunch. If all else fails, bring chocolate.

A few years ago, when I changed roles to shorten my commute, I would have laughed if you told me I’d sign up for a 1.5-hour journey to Havering. Now, it’s one of my favourite parts of the week. Perhaps that’s something our residents can relate to: for some of us, Penrose Havering might not be where we expected to be, but it’s exactly where we need to be.

Eva Katsani, Head of Criminal Justice Services