This Homes at the Heart of Living Well week we are shining a spotlight on the link between housing and health, specifically the role of independent living and supported schemes. Our Partnership Living team often go above and beyond to ensure that customers are happy and comfortable in accommodation that is suitable for their needs, and here we share a recent example of working together to achieve great outcomes for residents.
The residents
Two older adults who lived together in a supported housing scheme in Hampshire needed to move to a new house as their previous home had become unsuitable. One of the residents had mobility issues which made navigating the stairs difficult and there was not enough space for a stairlift to be fitted. To provide solutions to these issues we worked in partnership with the local authority and were able to offer a shared bungalow.
Our approach
After the bungalow was deemed a good fit for the residents, our Partnership Living team worked closely with a support provider to make sure that the transition from one home to the next was as smooth as possible. Before the residents moved in, we made changes to the bungalow to ensure it was suitable, which included fitting a wet room, putting in new lighting and flooring and decorating the bedrooms.
Working together to overcome obstacles
After we finished the practical aspects of the move the country went into lockdown. The move was essential, however two moving companies pulled out due to the challenging circumstances, so we worked together with our colleagues to make sure the residents could still move into their new home as planned.
We got a team together who, in full safety wear, moved the residents and their belongings to their bungalow. This was a great achievement for our team who wanted the residents to be in a safe, comfortable home suited to their needs as soon as possible. We’ve had great feedback from one of the resident’s parents too:
“We are very happy with the move which was done with care and consideration for all concerned. It has more space and is safer.”
By working with external support providers and internal colleagues to find ways around challenging climates or individual difficulties, we can still deliver great outcomes for our customers.
Supported housing plays a key role in giving adults with additional needs the freedom to live their life to the full and we are pleased to be in a position to find suitable homes for people.
Supported housing goes beyond being just about a property too, it’s about creating a sense of community and belonging and appointing people who really invest in the lives of residents. We are proud that we have such a dedicated team working across the south and south west of England and we will continue to support people long into the future.