We were delighted to handover the keys to a new childrens care home in Halton on Thursday (14 May) at a special housewarming event.
The home will be run by We are Juno CIC, Liverpool City Region’s not-for-profit children’s care home provider. It will their first home in Runcorn, Halton and the housewarming event was supported by Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region and Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader of Halton Borough Council.
The event celebrated the transformation of the property, owned by Plus Dane Housing, into a welcoming home where children in the care of the local authority can grow up feeling safe, supported and loved.
Juno Runcorn is a partnership between We are Juno CIC, Halton Borough Council and Plus Dane Housing to create an alternative to the profit-driven market that dominates children’s residential care. It’s the first of four homes planned for the borough that the partnership will deliver over the next three years and builds on the success of Juno’s three homes in Wirral.
We are Juno CIC is a social enterprise set up by Capacity, the Liverpool-based public service social enterprise, in 2022 supported by investment from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and other social investors.
The property required modernising and was due to be turned into a standard family home. Following conversations with Halton Council and Juno about the significant need for a local non-profit children’s care home, Plus Dane stripped the building back to its shell and turned the home into a bigger, purpose-built children’s residential home, with 3 ensuite rooms and additional activity space and space for carers to work from.
Ian Reed, Chief Executive of Plus Dane Housing, said: “We have turned a well-loved but tired property into a lovely modern new home with a new purpose. The building required significant investment to adapt it and make it just right. Our contracting partner, PLB, has done a fine job delivering it in on time, and on budget. Our close working relationship with Juno and Halton Council brings much needed children’s residential accommodation to our local area. We hope our new residents will grow and flourish here.”
Gerard McEvoy, Managing Director at PLB, said: "It has been a privilege for our team to be part of a project that will make such a meaningful difference to young people. From the very beginning, everyone involved has understood the importance of creating more than just a building. Together, we have delivered a safe, modern and welcoming home where children can feel secure, supported and cared for.
I am incredibly proud of the PLB team and the passion they brought to this project, helping to create a place that will have a lasting positive impact on young lives."
Sophie Clarke, Juno’s Managing Director, said: “The housewarming is a lovely way to welcome and thank everyone who’s been involved in making Juno Runcorn a reality. It’s the start of an exciting partnership with Halton Borough Council and Plus Dane Housing that will help us to support more local young people in Halton and Liverpool City Region to stay close to the people and places they love.
What makes it really special is the involvement of our Experts by Experience – a team of care-experienced young people and adults – who help us design what brilliant care in our homes looks like. These are people who grew up in care, who understand most about what needs to change.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “Childhood is one of the most important times in any person’s life. The experiences we have when we’re young help shape who we become and can stay with us forever. But for too many children in care, life can feel increasingly uncertain and unstable - and I don’t think that’s fair.
“Every child deserves the chance to grow up feeling safe, supported and connected to the people and places that matter most to them. That’s why we’re working with Juno and Halton Borough Council to create a different kind of residential care for children that’s rooted in community, compassion and long-term stability.
“This new home in Runcorn will help young people stay close to their schools, friends and support networks, rather than being moved far away from everything familiar. It’s about giving children not just a place to live, but a place where they can feel secure, valued and able to thrive.”
Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader of Halton Council, said: “Children in care tell us how important it is for them to stay local if possible, near to their friends, wider family and school. The Council has made significant investment to improve our services for children and families and it’s fantastic to see positive changes happening on the ground. We are delighted to be working in partnership with local organisations to deliver this brand new children’s home which will make such a big difference to the vulnerable children in our care.”
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