March 2020 changed everything for everyone. But for the team behind Supported Living Gateway, it sparked an idea that would create something entirely unexpected.

As the pandemic hit the UK, the property world was in chaos. Airbnbs sat empty. Student accommodation was vacant. Nobody was moving house. A lot of property investors were stuck with empty properties and no income.

At the same time, care providers were struggling to find homes for the people they supported - individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, and others who needed safe, appropriate accommodation.

One of the directors of the Gateway, Russ, already had some supported living properties in his portfolio - homes leased to care providers rather than regular tenants. He understood both sides of the problem: property investors with empty properties and care providers desperately needing homes for vulnerable people.

Mark and Russ, the two original founders of the company came up with an idea.  It was initially very simple. Could they help connect these two groups during lockdown? Maybe facilitate a few introductions using Russ's existing network?

What started as a small-scale solution quickly revealed something much bigger. This wasn't just a pandemic problem - it was a fundamental gap in the market that had always existed.

The team had a crucial advantage: their property portfolios provided financial security. They didn't need to rush into profit-making mode. Instead, they could focus on genuinely solving problems.

They realised property investors needed education about supported living because it's completely different from standard rental. So, they created comprehensive training covering everything from understanding different tenant needs to negotiating leases and managing insurance.

They also built an online property portal - essentially "Rightmove for the care sector." Property investors could list available homes while verified care providers could search for suitable accommodation.

From day one, Supported Living Gateway operated differently. Yes, it generates revenue, but every penny gets reinvested into improving the service. The founders don't take personal income from it because their property investments already cover their needs.

This approach lets them focus entirely on impact. Every successful property match creates a home for someone who needs support to live independently. Whether it's someone with learning disabilities getting their first chance at independence, or a young person leaving care, each connection matters.

Initially, the Gateway was only supposed to be a solution for during the pandemic.  Turns out the demand for supported living properties is continuing to grow. Government policy increasingly supports community-based care over institutional settings. More people with disabilities are choosing independent living with support. The need isn't going anywhere.

Today, Supported Living Gateway has just celebrated five years of connecting property investors with care providers across the UK. The platform has facilitated hundreds of property matches and educated countless investors about this rewarding sector.

What began as a response to pandemic chaos has become a thriving platform that continues improving lives across the UK. Sometimes the most important ventures emerge not from careful planning, but from recognising opportunity in crisis and having the conviction to act on it.