14 July 2026
Residents at two Gateshead sheltered housing schemes are enjoying newly refurbished communal lounges after helping to design the spaces themselves - the latest example of Gateshead Council listening to tenants and acting on what matters most to them.
The refurbishment of the communal lounges at Bensham Court in Bensham and McErlane Square in Pelaw has been driven by the people who use them every day, with residents helping to choose everything from colour schemes and furniture to the layout of the spaces.
The lounges are a vital part of daily life for many tenants, providing welcoming spaces where neighbours can meet for coffee, enjoy activities, celebrate special occasions and support one another. From bingo and karaoke to birthday parties, fish and chip nights and Christmas dinners, they play an important role in reducing loneliness, encouraging social connections and building strong communities.
Recognised the need to modernise these spaces, the Council held focus groups where tenants explored mood boards and voted on everything from colour schemes to furniture styles and layouts. Their feedback helped shape the final designs, with Gateshead Council's in-house decorating team completed the refurbishments. The investment included approximately £20,000 of new furniture at McErlane Square and £17,000 at Bensham Court,
Councillor Gavin Brierley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, said:
"These communal lounges are much more than shared spaces - they're at the heart of these communities, bringing people together, helping tackle loneliness and providing somewhere residents can socialise, take part in activities and support one another.
"The most important part of this project is that it has been shaped by the people who use these lounges every day. We listened to what tenants told us, involved them in every stage of the design process and acted on their feedback. The result is two fantastic spaces that truly reflect what they wanted.
"This is exactly the kind of partnership we want to build with our residents. By listening to their views and involving them in decisions, we're delivering improvements that make a real difference to people's daily lives."
John Freeman, who has lived at Bensham Court for 12 years, uses the communal lounge every day and says it is an essential part of life at the scheme.
"The lounge is where everyone comes together. We meet every morning for coffee and breakfast, have a chat and look out for each other. We host all sorts of events in the lounge. It helps people get out of their flats and get to know each other.
"The lounge was looking a bit tired, and the layout wasn't working very well anymore, so it was brilliant that the Council asked us what we wanted. It really felt like our opinions really mattered.
"We absolutely love how it looks now and we'll be able to do so much more in the new space. We've already got more activities planned, including an auction to raise money for residents' day trips, and I know even more people will want to come along."
Following the success of these refurbishments, the Council are now planning a programme to refresh communal lounges across their older persons sheltered housing schemes, ensuring residents continue to play a central role in future improvements.
