New Five Rivers Children’s Home Opens in Cornwall to Support Local Children

A new children’s home has opened in Cornwall, aiming to keep vulnerable young people close to the communities they know and love.

A New Chapter for Local Residential Care

Specialist children’s services provider Five Rivers has announced the official opening of Namwera, a new home in Cornwall that will accommodate two children. The aim is to ensure local children can remain near their families, schools, and support networks, avoiding relocation to other parts of the country due to limited local provision.

Victoria Elworthy, Head of Residential at Five Rivers, said:

“I’m incredibly proud to see this new children’s home opening in Cornwall. This home represents much more than bricks and mortar; it brings genuine social value to our communities by providing Cornish children with the opportunity to stay close to their roots, schools, families and support networks. It is a calm, nurturing and therapeutic space where children can feel safe, valued, and truly seen. At Five Rivers, our vision has always been to create homes in local communities for local children, and Namwera further strengthens that commitment.”

Inside Namwera

The newly opened home has been designed with a strong focus on comfort, care, and therapeutic support. Features include:

• A large kitchen with a breakfast bar and family-style dining space

• Two bright, secure bedrooms

• A bathroom fitted with both a bath and shower

• A warm lounge with a log burner and natural light throughout

• Dedicated therapy rooms created from a converted garage

These therapy spaces will be used by Five Rivers’ clinical team to deliver personalised therapeutic support for the children living at Namwera.

Supporting Children Close to Their Roots

Joanne Allan, Regional Operations Manager and Responsible Individual for Five Rivers, highlighted the importance of local provision.

“Cornwall’s residential sector has long been underrepresented, forcing many local children to live far from home. This is such an exciting opportunity for Five Rivers to expand its residential care into Cornwall, offering a beautiful home for two children, supported by a skilled and passionate team led by experienced Registered Manager, Emma Dymond. Emma’s dedication, along with her newly recruited and highly qualified team, will ensure a transformative care experience for the children who call Namwera home.”

Namwera has now been officially registered by Ofsted and is ready to welcome children.

Local Jobs and Community Impact

The home has already led to the creation of eight new jobs in the area. The refurbishment and ongoing maintenance have been supported by Cornish contractors, including the gardener who previously tended to the property.

Emma Dymond, the home’s Registered Manager, added:

“As a proud Cornish resident, I am so excited to be opening Namwera in the heart of Cornwall, where local children can remain in their home county. This home will enable vulnerable children to thrive in a community they know and love. It’s truly special and something I will be forever proud that I am part of.

I am extremely excited for the future of Namwera, the children and carers living there.”

About Five Rivers

Five Rivers has been delivering trauma-informed residential care for children since 1989. The organisation operates as a Social Enterprise and works closely with local authorities across England. Services span foster care, education, clinical support, and residential homes.

The investment in Namwera is part of Five Rivers’ continued effort to reinvest profits to improve the lives of children and young people in care.