Vulnerable older people in Tendring are seeing their quality of life improve dramatically thanks to an innovative partnership between Essex County Council (ECC), Tendring District Council (TDC) and the social housing sector.
One Housing, a not-for-profit care provider, and Ashley House, a social housing developer, worked with the county and district councils to create 130 new self-contained independent living homes for older people in the Tendring district. Rosebank Park in Harwich and Beaumont House in Walton, enable people aged 55 or over with a care need to continue to live in a home of their own independently, with the benefit of 24 hour emergency support on-site.
And now a video filmed at Rosebank Park this summer has captured, for the first time, how the lives of many vulnerable older people have been transformed. The video, published on ECC’s YouTube channel, also reveals:
· The challenges ECC and TDC face to find housing solutions for older people that meet their changing needs in later life
· How Ashley House worked with ECC and TDC to find a location, design, develop and fund the new homes in Tendring
· How One Housing’s approach to providing care and managing the new homes – through its Season brand - is helping people play a more active role in their communities.
Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Adult Health & Social Care, ECC, says: “As a public body it is important we spend taxpayers’ money wisely, on issues that matter to our residents – like having somewhere safe, pleasant and supportive to live in later life. We are constantly re-imagining how we deliver services and working tirelessly to secure investment in the county that can help make Essex an even better place to live and work. The partnership between us, TDC, Ashley House and One Housing to deliver these new homes for local people is a prime example of our innovative approach.”
Doreen Rutson-Kemp is a resident at Rosebank Park. She says: “I saw it being built, but never imagined it was going to be anything like this. Everybody is so helpful, the people living here and the staff. There’s always something to do. I’m living a different way of life because of the people I’ve met.”
Paul Honeywood, cabinet member for housing, TDC, says “We are very fortunate to have two sites providing this added choice of Independent Living homes within our District. Working with ECC and One Housing has made this possible and I am sure that many vulnerable residents will benefit from this new approach. After all, most people want to maintain their independence as long as possible and this provides them with the opportunity to do that with the vital support they require.”
Kevin Beirne, group director of housing care and support at One Housing, says: “In Essex we have worked closely with the local authority to meet a clear need for homes that help people enjoy their independence in their later years with our professional care on site. Both Rosebank Park and Beaumont House are great examples of Season schemes that give older people a great lifestyle, reduce isolation and allow people to live independently for longer. With so much debate about social care around the election, the housing and care sectors need to take the lead and show what good looks like, and these schemes do just that.”
Tony Walters, chief executive, Ashley House, says: “Ashley House is delighted to work in partnership with ECC, TDC and One Housing to deliver these important new apartments for some of the most vulnerable people in the area. These schemes demonstrate how the public and private sectors can work effectively together to provide solutions for both the UK’s housing crisis and the challenges surrounding our ageing population. We wish the residents a long and healthy life in their new homes.”
