Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Welcome to our home!

by Ethos public relations

Two social housing organisations and their sheltered housing residents have recently teamed up to share ideas and experiences.

Residents living at Accent Foundation’s Kirk House in Hyndburn met with residents living at Hyndburn Homes Park View Court in Hyndburn in what has been described as a ‘Best Practice Visit’

Jill Brown Manager for Older People Services at Hyndburn Homes said: “We are a bit further forward in our service development than Accent and it wanted to show residents how older people services was managed here and what they could expect.

“Obviously it is important that residents are able to chat to their peers and find out the reality of how service change could impact on their lives and so the two groups had lunch together at Park View and chatted about their experiences of sheltered housing.”

Service differences include the fact that Hyndburn Homes sheltered schemes do not have staff living on site. Scheme wardens work ‘office hours’ five days a week.

In addition, Hyndburn Homes has developed a ‘floating support’ scheme which means residents over 55 years old who live in Hyndburn Homes properties are able to access most of the care and support services that are normally only available to residents living in sheltered accommodation.

As well as lunch residents showed their guests around their scheme and their individual flats. Gladys Jones, age 93 is a resident at Park View. She said: "I really enjoyed the event and the chance to meet new people who live in sheltered accommodation.”

Posted at 4^th October 2010

Welcome to our Home!

by Ethos public relations

Mike Creamer, Chief Executive of Contour Housing Group and Cllr. Jamie Macrae, Prosperity Portfolio Holder for Cheshire East joined residents of a new development recently to mark its official opening.

Sutton Gardens on Earlsway Macclesfield is comprised of 49 one and two bedroom apartments which are available to rent to people aged 55 and over.

This £5.9m development which has been supported by £3.2m from the Homes & Communities Agency includes three specially adapted wheelchair access apartments for people who may have physical disabilities.  All of the apartments and external grounds provide level access and the development is serviced by a lift to all floors.  Landscaped gardens surround the development and include a garden stroll pathway, a parking court and a patio area leading off the communal lounge.

Councillor Macrae praised the high specification and design of the scheme
which met the local authority’s housing priorities to provide quality and choice of housing for older people.

56 year old Robert Nottage was the first resident to move into the new development.

“It’s brilliant here, I love everything about it,” he said.  “The peace and tranquillity is particularly welcome – with no youngsters in the building you don’t have to worry about excessive noise.

“The properties themselves are a great size, big enough - but easy to maintain and keep clean and I can’t believe how warm they are, even during this cold spell.

“I think that schemes for older people like myself and my neighbours are a great idea and there should be more of them.”

Just ten of the properties remain available to rent and Contour Housing Group is delighted with the success of Sutton Gardens.

“It’s great to see a finished project and have the opportunity to meet the people who call it home,” said Mike Creamer.  “This is one of numerous developments the Group has completed in the Cheshire area and we will continue to work closely with Cheshire East to explore further opportunities in the future.”

Anyone interested in applying for one of the ten remaining homes should contact Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Association on 01625 553 553.

Posted at 4^th March 2010