Celebrating Sheltered Housing with #StartsAtHome
We’ve been supporting Starts at Home day today talking to some of our tenants over the week about why they love our Sheltered Schemes. Starts at Home Day is a campaign run by the National Housing Federation to promotes supported and sheltered housing and join in the call for more funding and more recognition of the benefits this type of tenancy gives.
During the week we heard from lots of people including 99 year-old Joan who said: “The Warden calls every morning to check I’m all right. She bobs in often and has a little look at me, they’re very nice here.”
The reassurance of a Warden and support package resonated with Lynette who said “My doctor wanted me to come here and with my disability, if there’s a problem they’ll be here for you and that is wonderful.”
Tony, who came to us from shared accommodation said: “It gets me out of the house, instead of just watching TV. There’s always a lot on, singalongs and trips out and I like talking to people.”
Ken has made some terrific friends in his scheme. He said: “We all look out for each other. George and I we’re best of friends…it’s our own community. If I weren’t here I’d be in a hotel or something and it’s safe here, you need a key fob to get in when the doors are closed.”
Gordon's family feel reassured that Gordon is well looked after. He is in a ground floor flat which he says is perfect for him, as his mobility is not good. He can get out to the garden or communal areas easily. When taken ill in Preston recently, he got a taxi back to his accommodation as he new he "would be all right if he just got back and could press his buzzer."
Louise Mattinson, Executive Director of Customers and Communities went along to a special Afternoon Tea held for StartsAtHome Day and explained how it’s all part of our wider strategy to deliver the right types of homes for people with different needs at different stages in their lives. You can listen to what Louise had to say by clicking the short video below.
You can see some of our tenants’ videos on our Twitter and Facebook pages #StartsAtHome