Together we can make homes, not hospitals, the future

Every person deserves the chance to live in a home of their own, surrounded by the right support and connected to their community. Yet for around 2,000 people with learning disabilities and autistic people, that basic right remains out of reach, despite years of commitments to reduce the number of people living in hospitals and institutions. 

It is outrageous that so many people remain in hospital without a clear end date or a defined pathway back into a home where they can live fulfilling lives. We rightly recognise the impact of delayed discharge across the NHS, yet for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, these delays can stretch into years, even decades. Too many people are left isolated from their communities, waiting for a future that should already have begun. 

At least half of those currently in long-stay hospitals are considered ready for discharge, yet many have no one championing their move into the community and no clear pathway to make it happen. That is a profound failure of the system. We know that with the right housing, personalised support and collaboration across health, social care and the voluntary sector, many more people could leave hospital and rebuild their lives.  

This was the focus of a recent roundtable hosted by FitzRoy and the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), where leaders from health, social care, housing and the voluntary sector came together to discuss what needs to change. The discussions were honest, challenging and, above all, hopeful. There was a shared determination that this situation cannot continue. We know what good support looks like. We know that when people have the right housing and personalised support, they thrive.  

Together we are forming a national alliance of partners, each bringing their own expertise to create joined-up solutions that making living an ordinary life in the community something everyone can expect.  

One story shared during the day has stayed with me. A man spent 39 years in an institution following an offence. His learning disability had, in effect, become a life sentence. Today, he is living in his own home with the support he needs. His story is a powerful reminder of both what has gone wrong and what is possible when people are given the opportunity to live differently. 

The conversations reinforced that this challenge isn’t rooted in a lack of expertise or commitment. We know what needs to happen. Now we must remove the barriers, invest in suitable housing and strengthen partnerships so that people can leave hospital and build the lives they deserve. 

This is why FitzRoy’s Homes Not Hospitals Appeal matters. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, people leaving long-stay hospitals are moving into homes with the furniture, everyday essentials and personal touches that help them settle in, regain their independence and feel that they truly belong. 

Every successful move is proof that change is possible. Together, we can challenge outdated systems, create new opportunities and help build a future where homes, not hospitals, are the expectation for everyone. 

Thank you for helping us make that future a reality. 

Angela Murphy
Chief Executive, FitzRoy