There has been a long-standing link between health and housing – and on Starts at Home Day, we’re celebrating our supported housing schemes that allow hundreds of our residents to live independently for longer.
Without these vital homes available, many residents who need extra support to live independently would face uncertain futures.
Starts at Home Day is an opportunity to support the national campaign for the government to save our supported housing.
We popped down to one of our schemes to speak to residents about what makes sheltered housing important.
We meet Gaynor, Sharon and Pat in communal room at Camels Head on a quiet Thursday morning - the three of them are part of the success of the community and it’s packed social schedule.
So, what drives them to put on such a catalogue of social events and gatherings?
Gaynor explains: “For me, it’s the buzz that we create when there’s been a successful event, we had a quiz on Bank Holiday Monday and it was such fun, that for hours afterwards everyone stayed and chatted, everyone was still talking about it, and it was such a brilliant atmosphere.
“It’s company for some people – fun for others and just getting out the house and interacting with people is so good for people’s health and wellbeing, so we just want people to be involved and have something to look forward to.”
Sharon, whose husband Rob hosts the popular quiz days, continues: “We open our events and activities to people’s friends and families as well, so we try to be as open and welcoming as possible. One PCH resident who doesn’t live on the scheme, helps by collecting residents here who are in wheelchairs and would not otherwise be able to join in. My husband really enjoys putting the quiz together and hosting it, they have been talking about buying him a sparkly hosting jacket for Christmas!”
And it doesn’t just stop at a quiz, as Pat explains: “We’re non-stop here, Monday evening is games night, Tuesday mornings is tea and toast, Wednesday night is bingo, Thursday night is fish and chip night, Friday is a day off, and then it’s on to Saturday afternoon bingo – which is always a good turnout!”
And it doesn’t stop there – the group have put on three successful mystery lunches and are hoping to bring back their monthly Friday night disco so residents can let their hair down and have a good time.
But it’s not just the social aspect that’s important – this is a close-knit community that looks out for each other.
Gaynor said: “If we haven’t seen someone for a few days or they’ve been quiet do a bit of a welfare check on them by asking around to see if anyone has seen them or if they need anything. We try look out for each other here and we’ve started a WhatsApp group open to everyone on the scheme with suitable phones, so people know what is happening., and they can pick and choose what they want to be a part of. If texting is the only option that too is available if required
Following a suggestion from Ryan Huws at PCH, we’ve started Friends of Camel’s Head Gardening Group. Twice a year we have volunteers from PCH using their volunteer ‘Make a Difference’ days to come along and help us replant, de-weed and generally tidy up the area and we always make sure they leave with a little thank you gift from us all here.”
Pat said: “It’s a lovely area, I’ve been here for 15 years and I wouldn’t change it for the world – it’s a happy and safe community, and everyone loves being a part of it.”
Housing with Support Manager, Becky Dacre said: “Sheltered housing schemes are so important for older residents that can be part of a community, that would otherwise be housed somewhere on their own with no support or help available. With our schemes it’s a key theme that everyone wants to be a part of something, and everyone is there to help each other.
“It’s great seeing the sense of pride people have in their sheltered community and there are so many events and groups in our schemes across the city, there’s something for everyone there to be a part of.
“Every scheme has its individual events, just today for instance Broadland Gardens in Plymstock are hosting their weekly Friday lunch where a small number of residents make a cooked lunch for the others – it’s small things like that bring people together and make them feel a part of something special.
This is a sentiment echoed by Amy Lewis, Housing with Support Officer: “Friday lunch club is a staple within the Broadlands and wider community as it brings both residents and non-residents together for an affordable 2-course meal with great company. The residents who run this work so hard providing this wonderful service which always goes down brilliantly.”
