An innovative project, which gives students a true flavour of independent living, has just celebrated its first anniversary after a highly successful year.

Designed for students who are almost ready for full independence, the house in Kings Park Road, Bournemouth, provides the experience of living in an urban community with the security of remaining part of The Wing Centre, the Hesley Group’s post-16 college for young men with Asperger Syndrome.

Many of the nine students living in the converted 1930s house access education at local colleges, but they also keep clear links with The Wing Centre.

Angela Nightingale, head at The Wing Centre, said: “This has been a really exciting and successful project and also a steep learning curve for all the staff and students involved.

“The idea of satellite housing is a concept we have been working towards at the Hesley Group for a number a years. It is important for students to experience first hand the problems that they are going to encounter in society and Kings Park Road is a great environment to do this. Many of the students here at The Wing Centre aspire to moving to the house in Bournemouth and this is an important goal which they have set themselves.”

Student John O’Donel-Watts said: “What I particularly like is that we are much more inconspicuous. At The Wing Centre you are part of a well-known establishment and as such you tend to be labelled by the locals but at the house you can blend more into the suburban environment.

“Some of us in the house travel to college in Poole or Bournemouth by bus and there is a major leisure complex nearby and easy access to shops and other services. But my love is bird-watching so I also enjoy going back to the countryside at The Wing Centre.”

To celebrate the first anniversary students and staff organised a party at the house, inviting Hesley Group staff and local residents who had been involved in the first year of the Kings Park Road house.

Ayshea Mussell, care manager, said: “The students were keen to participate. They chatted and mingled with the guests over nibbles, cakes and sweets, taking time out when necessary in the quieter lounge area. They were also happy to show their musical skills by playing the bass guitar to the guests.”

Poppy Sargeant, learning support worker at KPR, said: “There is more independence for students so they tend to interact more with social groups outside. They integrate with the community more and benefit from doing their own washing and cooking in a more homely environment, but with the support they need.”