Starts at Home day is a chance to celebrate and showcase the importance of Supported Housing services and the positive impact it makes on thousands of lives. We're sharing stories from our supported housing colleagues and customers to highlight the service and the challenging work the team do to make sure our customers feel safe, secure and cared for in their homes.
Josephine Roberts, Head of Supported Housing, talks more about the campaign and the importance of our supported housing services:
"Starts at Home has one aim, to ‘ensure that people who need extra support will always have a safe home that meets their needs.’ This is absolutely what we strive for at Abri."
"We currently have 3,800 people living in our supported accommodation across our geography, all supported by our dedicated and passionate teams who put our customers at the heart of what they do.
"There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supported housing and the level of support needed varies from person to person. Which is why we offer a range of long-term and short-term accommodation options and services to suit different needs. Support integrated with our accommodation is delivered by our own colleagues (in our Independent Living schemes) and by working in partnership with other specialist care and support providers (in our Partnership Living schemes and Extra Care).
"Starts at Home is an important campaign as it gives us the opportunity to join the collective voice of housing associations across the UK, shining a spotlight on our service, and celebrating the work of our brilliant teams."
Emily Wardle, Tenancy Support Coordinator:
"I recently supported a customer whose dementia was causing them to become confused and at times wandering from their home. A safeguarding concern was raised, and ASC worked with us to understand how we could keep this resident safe at home. Initially the additional Care at Home improved the situation, but with close monitoring I could see the risks of this resident coming to some harm at home were increasing."
"I met regularly with ASC keeping detailed accounts of any incidents or near misses. We were able to show how this customer was at risk and struggling to be alone during the times alone between care visits. The customer was found a place in a residential home and is now safe and settled with the care and support she needed."
Jade Andrews, Tenancy Support Coodinator:
"I supported a customer who had not engaged with any services in a very long time. To begin with he was quite suspicious of me and did not want to me to help. His home was in a very poor state with a build of rubbish, dirty dishes, and food spillages. I was worried about his personal care and his ability to manage without support. After working with the customer for some time, and building trust, he agreed to a benefit review and a referral to ASC for a package of care assessment. He was awarded attendance allowance, which he was able to use in part for Help @ Home, which brought his property up to a good standard. ASC commissioned a package of care to help him get up and dressed, take his medication and prompt him to eat regularly. He is now very happily managing well at home and can be confident in asking us for help. He has become brighter in himself and enjoys his daily care visits."
Samantha Johnson, Tenancy Support Coordinator
"I have been supporting a customer whose property needs significant adaptions via DFG. I worked with our trades team and the Occupational Therapist to help our customer be clear on what their needs are to help them get a home that works well for them, allowing easier movement around the property and keeping them safe. The amount of work meant we had to find a temporary property for them to stay in. This can be understandably disruptive and unsettling to have to move for works to be completed. I have supported the customer with all elements of the move in order to make it as easy as possible. Helping with everything from buying new curtains to changing utilities and keeping the customer involved and updated on the works taking place in their home. The customer is now safe and happy in their home."
Anna Orzechowska, housekeeper
“I love getting to know the residents and doing what I can to make them happy. What is often a big deal for them is only a little thing for me, like making a cup of coffee. So I’ll always help out where I can. If you love your job then the customers feel it too.”
Trudy Hooper, housekeeper
“I love my job. We have a great team who all support one another, working together to provide the best possible service for our residents.”
Teresa Houghton, Senior housekeeper
“We involve the residents in the menu planning and together, continually look for ways to improve the service we provide. It’s lovely to see them socialising and enjoying a tasty hot meal.”