Supported housing for older people schemes

Introduction

Supported housing provides a home specially designed for older people who value their independence. The accommodation is easy to manage and emergency support is available 24 hours a day.

What is supported housing for older people?

We have 28 schemes throughout Bristol. These individual units of accommodation are self contained, having their own:

• front doors
• kitchen
• bathroom
• heating
• emergency alarm system
• bedroom (although two units are bedsits).

Our schemes normally have:

• parking
• gardens
• community room - for use by residents, older peoples community groups and older people within the community
• laundry
• guest bedrooms.

What levels of support are available?

Support is provided to meet individual needs. If you move into one of our schemes a Housing Support Adviser will develop a support plan with you and talk to you about your needs.

Levels of support and charges

If you are entitled to housing benefit you will not need to pay a charge, as it will be covered by Supporting People Grant. The levels of support available to new tenants are:

Emergency only: Provides 24 hour emergency response cover seven days a week through the intercom system. The charge for this service is £7.26 per week. (2011/12, 48 rent weeks).

Low: Emergency response cover plus one weekly face to face welfare check. The charge for this service is £11.61 per week. (2011/12, 48 rent weeks).

Medium: Emergency response cover plus two weekly face to face welfare checks. The charge for this service is £17.39 per week. (2011/12, 48 rent weeks).

High: Emergency response cover plus up to four face to face visits as needed and even daily visits during critical periods. The charge for this service is £29.08 per week. (2011/12, 48 rent weeks).

Who provides the support?

Support is provided by a team of Housing Support Advisers. Their duties include:

• Ensuring that schemes are welcoming for you and your visitors.
• Contacting you at least once a week, or more, depending on your assessed need.
• Advising you on the availability of relevant services and benefits.
• Promoting your participation, activities, and establishing links within the local community.

Housing Support Advisers duties do not include:

• Collecting prescriptions, pensions, shopping, cleaning or laundry.
• Giving medication, providing personal care or changing dressings.
• Dealing with anti-social behaviour.
• Reporting any repairs required to your accommodation.
• Responding to you being locked out.

Each scheme also has a Designated Housing Support Adviser whose duty it is to:

• talk to you about your needs and arrange further support as necessary
• ensure that your information is kept up to date and inform our Emergency Control Centre of any changes.

Emergency alarm system

All of the flats are fitted with an emergency alarm system with pull cords, which you can use to get help in an emergency.

Pendants

In some circumstances, you can also apply for a pendant, which can be used to get help should you fall, or feel unwell.

Mobility scooter stores

We have mobility scooters stores at the following schemes:

• Butler House, St George.
• Butterworth Court, Inns Court.
• Chichester House, St Anne’s.
• Condor House, Lockleaze.
• Field View, Easton.
• Haweswater, Southmead.
• Jim O’Neill House, Shirehampton.
• Padmore Court, Redfield.
• Parbrook Court, Whitchurch.
• Rosevear, Newtown.
• Studland Court, Henleaze.

If you live at one of these schemes and would like to rent one please contact the Estate Management Service on 0117 922 2000 or visit any Customer Service Point. Your name will be added to a waiting list. When a space becomes available, priority will be given to the tenant who has been on the waiting list for the longest time.

• Further information on mobility scooter stores (pdf, 118 KB).
• User instructions (pdf, 81 KB).

Social activities

Each scheme offers a range of social activities, some of which are organised by the tenants.

Contact

For contact information please see the contact details on this page or visit any of our Customer Service Points.