About Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation
Originally created to provide family homes for newly disabled servicemen returning from the First World War, the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation offers homes within a community to a wide range of disabled, elderly and homeless people, a large proportion of whom are ex-service personnel.
The complex nature of problems associated with disability and homelessness means that simply putting roofs over heads can never be enough. The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation offers a wide range of support, care and rehabilitation services to the people it houses to ensure they are fully equipped, both mentally and physically, for integration into society and to ensure they do not slide back into homelessness.
The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation provides:
- secure and independent accommodation at affordable rent levels;
- intensive housing management support;
- wheelchair accessible flats equipped with the latest disability aids as required;
- warden service, support workers and care services;
- direct links to support services on physical and mental health;
- treatment of drug and alcohol abuse;
- support for communal and group social activities and friendship;
- training on practical independent living skills;
- training in computer and other skills to help people gain access to employment or education.
Our history
Theatre impresario Sir Oswald Stoll initiated the War Seal Foundation. The objective was to erect, equip and maintain self-contained residential flats for injured soldiers returning from war and their families, where they could receive medical care.
1917 - The first phase of the War Seal Mansions were built on land donated by Sir Oswald Stoll, providing 72 flats. He used his theatres to raise the funds to construct the estate and its facilities.
1923 - The second phase of the building, comprising 66 flats, was completed.
To honour its founder, the members of the foundation unanimously voted for the name to be changed to the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, and the flats were renamed Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions.
1981 - The Foundation registers as a Housing Association.
1983-93 - Extensive renovation works were carried out to Stoll Mansions. The mansions now have 137 flats. A new community hall, laundry room, and garden room are built.
1994 - New research highlights the fact that one in four homeless people are ex-service personnel. This prompts the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation to look into expansion and diversification of its services to help homeless ex-service men and women.
1996 - The Ex-Service Action Group is formed. The role of ESAG, chaired by the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, is to support and develop initiatives that provide solutions to the complex problem of ex-service homelessness.
1997 - Research commissioned by ESAG, "Homeless on Civvy Street" is published. The aim of the survey is to understand the scale and nature of Ex-Service homelessness in London, and results are used to identify practical solutions.
1998 - The Foundation develops two large houses for disabled people on a site in Fulham. Two more houses follow on the Clem Atlee Estate, also in Fulham.
1999 - The Ex-Service Resettlement Project begins. The project is jointly run with the Alcohol Recovery Project, and provides an advice and referral service for ex-service homeless people based in day centres in East London.
Funding is received from the Rough Sleepers Unit for a support worker for the Resettlement Project, who works with a total of 87 clients from May to December.
The Foundation obtains a lease on 158 Du Cane Road and begins renovation work. The aim of the project is to provide temporary accommodation for young ex-servicemen who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, where they will receive counselling, training and advice.
Following a survey of residents' requirements, a programme to teach IT literacy and web design begins at Stoll Mansions. All residents are eligible and receive free Internet access and email.
The Foundation puts together a five-year development plan, to build 100 new flats for homeless and disabled people. The first phase of this will provide 20 flats with education and community rooms at the Maison Rouge site, located next door to Stoll Mansions. Construction is to begin in 2001. The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation sets up its first dedicated fundraising and communications department.
2001 - The first resident moves into Du Cane Road. Within three months of opening three ex-servicemen become resettled with a permanent home and job.