Ashton supported housing project unveil this year's Halloween decorations

With Halloween fast-approaching, families all over Tameside will start getting creative with their seasonal adornments. But one house in particular has gone bigger & better than ever to celebrate.

Greystones is a supported accommodation for homeless males. The build contains 26 beds and has been on site, on Mossley Road, for 38 years.

The residents have already decked the building out with this year's spooky décor, both on the interior and exterior.

Andrea Boot, service manager at NWA Housing, said: "One of our main aims is to ensure our residents feel a sense of belonging and so we encourage a family atmosphere on the project.  As such, we celebrate all holidays and sporting events.

"I think the idea formed when all staff and residents wanted to show their support for Ukraine, we put out flags to show that support and the idea gained traction from there. 

"We have residents that like to volunteer on the project - Lisa Shepherd, our director, funds the decorations and the volunteers organise it all.

"We hope that everyone passing the project enjoys the decorations as much as we enjoy doing them!"

Councillor John Taylor, who was also a former employee at Greystones, said: "It's great what they do to the house because why shouldn't they have a decorated home at Halloween or Christmas trees in December? Why shouldn't they have the same treatment as every other human being who gets to decorate where they live?

"For the World Cup, [Lisa] puts a 40-inch television in the yard and builds a canopy over it, then celebrates with a barbecue - all free of charge.

"That's why I go there and will carry on going there, because I know if someone goes to them, no matter what their problem or past is, somebody is going to help them. They'll be treated like a friend and will never be alone."

Andrea added: "Christmas can be a hard time for many of our residents.

"We make sure that everyone has a present to open on Christmas day and that all our properties have a Christmas Tree and decorations.  We all get together and have a traditional Christmas lunch and a buffet in the evening."

Residents can stay on the premises for any length of time, varying from one night to fifteen or twenty years.

Lisa said the formerly family-run business aim to have a 'friendly, non-judgemental' atmosphere.

"So much so, it has created a recovery community of its own, where we all look after each other," she added. 

Lisa received the British Empire Medal back in 2016, in recognition of her work with the homeless men residing at Greystones.

She started her role aged 15, when the place was a bed and breakfast run by her family.

In 2003, in partnership with Tameside Council, Greystones became the hostel we know it as today and Lisa was appointed project manager.

The centre became a specialised service and has achieved outstanding outcomes.

Lisa, along with other volunteers at the hostel, is proud that Greystones has helped many ex-servicemen reclaim their lives and regain independence. 

As well as guiding their residents into acquiring the necessary skills needed to function in the modern world, volunteers also provide service users with advice and assistance on subjects such as: domestic upkeep of their rooms, budgeting, paying bills, maintaining security and safety of dwelling.

Last year, the household began offering a number of classes for their clients surrounding topics such as drug & alcohol dependency and self awareness.

There are a wide array of opportunities on offer for tenants.