Our mission is o help people take control of their own lives and and a way forward. We collaborate with others to provide this, whilst we focus on homes, wellbeing and learning.
Our vision is that Everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.
BCHA was founded in 1968 to tackle the increasing homelessness problem in Bournemouth at the time. Since then, we have grown from strength to strength and now work across location in the South West. BCHA is a social housing and support business dedicated to enriching lives by providing a broad range of services to address often complex social needs in our communities. We pride ourselves on forging effective partnerships to help people facing homelessness or in need of other forms of support, regardless of whether they live in our homes. Our strong belief is that anyone can fall on hard times – once, twice or on many occasions – and we will always be there to offer the necessary support to empower our customers to navigate their way forward.
Our main activities are grouped into three broad categories: social housing, customer support, and employability and skills programmes. This broad range of customer-centred services sets us apart from traditional housing associations and is what makes us unique.

Chris Nicholson Chair

Lorraine Mealings Chief Executive

Why the BCHA is supporting Boardroom Apprentice

Having participated in 2024-25, we have found the programme an excellent way of nurturing board members of the future – either for BCHA’s benefit when vacancies arise or for the community at large. We would love to participate again for a second year

Location of Board and Committee Meetings

Online except Away Days which at one of our sites in Poole, twice a year

Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings

Board meetings are quarterly and typically take place 1630 to 1930

Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)

Dates for 2025 tbc but will take place on a Thursday in February, May, August and November. Away Days take place in Spring and Autumn

Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January - December 2025)

There are 3 board committees that also meet quarterly but no expectation for attendance at all these.

Security checks

No

Payment of travel expenses

Yes