Imagine being a young person growing up in care and suddenly facing the daunting reality of leaving the system with nowhere to go.
Sadly, for many care leavers in the UK, this is not just a fear, it’s a reality. According to government research, the number of young people leaving care and facing homelessness has risen by 33% since 2018[1].
But what if there was a way to make the transition from care to independent living easier? What if young care leavers could have a safe, secure home where they could receive the support they need while they find their footing in the world? This is exactly what Barnardo’s set out to achieve with their Gap Homes programme, and Scotframe is proud to have played a role in making that vision a reality.
Making the world a better home with Gap Homes
As part of the wider Saint-Gobain organisation’s partnership with the children’s charity, we helped bring the Gap Homes project in Stirling to life. We didn’t just see it as another construction project, we saw it as an opportunity to make a real difference, reflecting Saint-Gobain’s mission to ‘Make the World a Better Home’.
The Gap Homes programme aims to provide young people leaving care with a stable place to call home. Each unit offers not just shelter, but a secure environment where these young people can gain the confidence, skills and support they need to thrive in independent living.
The Gap Homes development in Stirling wasn’t just about putting up buildings, it was about creating homes where young care leavers could focus on their future.
Four of the five units in the project contain individual apartments for care leavers, with the remaining unit serving as an on-site staff facility to ensure that support is always available nearby.
Working together to create comfortable homes
Scotframe’s involvement began long before the first piece of timber was lifted into place. From day one, our team worked closely with the principal designer to look for ways to find efficiencies which improved both affordability and buildability.
The goal was clear: build a home that would be both affordable and sustainable, without compromising on the quality that these young people deserve.
Our Valutherm+ timber frame kits provide the perfect solution to build highly energy-efficient homes quickly and cost-effectively, while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Also, with the ticking clock of a tight build schedule, the use of our off-site constructed kits would allow us to complete the project as quickly as possible.
The closed panel timber frame system uses factory-fitted insulation, which not only ensures excellent thermal performance but also makes the homes more energy efficient. This was important for two reasons: it would help the homes stay warm and comfortable all year round, and it would reduce energy costs long-term for young residents.
With a four-week window to install the timber frame kits, Scotframe’s in-house installation team worked closely with subcontractors to ensure everything stayed on track. Thanks to off-site construction, all five kits were installed in just two weeks, which was half the time originally allocated.
And for the contractors on site, it was clear that Scotframe’s Valutherm+ timber frame system was something special, as they said it was one of the best systems they had seen.
Supporting the Gap Homes mission
The homes in Stirling are part of Barnardo’s broader national programme, which includes existing Gap Homes in Renfrewshire and Essex, and plans for even more in the future. The aim is to create a network of homes that will continue to support care leavers across the UK.
For Scotframe, the Gap Homes project is more than just a building project, it’s about contributing to a wider mission. Our role in providing high quality, energy efficient timber frame kits helped ensure that the homes were completed quickly, on budget, and to the highest standard. But it’s the impact on the young people who will live there that makes this project truly special.
The success of the Gap Homes project in Stirling is just the beginning. As part of a larger effort to tackle the growing need for housing for care leavers, Barnardo’s is expanding the programme to more locations across the UK.
At Scotframe, we’re proud to continue supporting this cause and we look forward to helping build more homes that will transform the lives of young people leaving the care system.
Together, we can make a difference, one home at a time.
If you’d like to learn more about how Scotframe can support your next project, please get in touch with our team.