The prospect of living in a house of ten people was too much for Jade Hilditch and Lee Lyons when they found out Jade was pregnant. A pram, a cot and all the other things new babies need meant space had become a real issue in their old home.

“We were living with my family,” Lee explains, “but I’m one of six children, so we really didn’t have  a lot of room.”

They wanted to move out, but Jade was worried that the two of them wouldn’t be able to bring up the baby without some extra help. They approached the local council, who told them about a new purpose-built housing scheme nearby in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Lorna Lodge, built and run by Manchester Methodist Housing Association, consists of 16 self-contained flats for teenage mothers and their children, with high-tech security and 24-hour support and staffing onsite.

It’s one of five teenage parent schemes run by the association, which is part of the Great Places Housing Group, to help young mothers develop their life skills before settling into their own homes. It has communal areas including an education suite, and a courtyard with play areas.

Plus, there’s wireless networking to individual flats, so that residents to continue their college learning while looking after their children.

“Jade and Kyra-Leigh moving here has been brilliant,” Lee says. “Jade has her own space and Kyra has other children to play with.”

Now Lee’s saving up so that the three of them can afford a place of their own when they’re ready to live independently. “I’m doing two jobs but I’m here as often as I can be.”