Sheltered housing couple alarmed by axing of warden support service

A BOWERHILL couple has criticised Wiltshire Council’s proposal to end an “essential” support service for people living in sheltered housing, which they say will include axing weekly support visits from an estate manager / warden. 

Currently, residents living in Wiltshire Council’s sheltered housing sites can access a discretionary service called Housing Related Support to help with everyday living.   

But Wiltshire Council says that the “out of date” service is used by “less than half” of eligible tenants, and that there is a “significant overlap” between the support they offer and the support from housing management legally provided by registered landlords. 

Instead, the council has proposed to phase out the non-statutory service by March 2022, and work with residents, landlords and providers to access alternative means of housing-related support. 

But Bowerhill residents, Jennifer Lane and Michael Lane, say that they are “alarmed” by the proposal and have accused the council of trying to “save money” by axing the service. And the couple have demanded that the service be continued. 

“My husband and I are in our late 70s,” said Jennifer in a letter to Wiltshire Council. “We have been living as tenants of the Selwood Housing Association in a sheltered bungalow on the Bowerhill estate for 11 years. The best thing about where we live is the regular weekly visit from our warden. She has been (and continues to be) a tremendous help to us in so many different ways, whether it’s advice on various matters or help to fill in forms.  

“We know that our nearest neighbours, also pensioners in sheltered housing, feel the same way. It is her constant visits that make life so much easier for us all – no need for us to have to try to get in touch, we know she will be here each week and will give us the assistance we need without making us wait. 

“We are both angry and disappointed on our behalf, and on the behalf of our warden, at the prospect of this current service being ended. We mistrust heartily how the council will continue to meet people’s needs in future. We disagree completely with the suggestion that the tenant support services offered by landlords “now significantly overlap” the HRS service.” 

Housing Related Support is discretionary and is currently delivered by Somerset Care and Cera Care (formerly Mears) – funded by Wiltshire Council.  

According to the council, the service costs almost £1million to run, which they say is the equivalent to £800 for each tenant currently using the service. 

The types of support someone receiving Housing Related Support may expect include managing the safety and security of their home, maintaining personal health and wellbeing and financial support. 

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, cllr Jane Davies said, “We consulted with residents last year regarding Housing Related Support and we have found it is underused, and in some areas duplicating services which are already part of the housing management provided by our landlords.  

“We know it is possible to be more efficient while still ensuring residents continue to be properly supported. We are now going out to residents again to discuss with them new options for accessing support for the future. This includes using existing tenant support services but also through enhancing links with the local community. 

“Residents who currently have a care support package will continue to receive this unchanged. I want to reassure all residents that we are open minded and we want them to be involved all the way as we work on the best possible options for the future.  

“We know for some residents, loneliness is a real factor and we want to actively work with our services and community partners to address that as part of this fresh approach to helping people live independently. 

“There are additional benefits derived by supporting sheltered residents via the community rather than commissioned services, in that it helps to build stronger communities, allowing residents to be more involved in their locality as well as the potential to mobilise sheltered accommodation resources to support the community.”

At last week’s Wiltshire Council cabinet meeting, members unanimously agreed to continue consultation on the end of Housing Related Support service. 

The final decision on the future of the service will be made by the director for joint commissioning in consultation with the cabinet member for adult social care, Jane Davies, and the corporate director for people, Lucy Townsend.