Older Person's Champion visits sheltered housing

Lambeth

Date: 08.04.2003
Ref: 1556
Press contact: Isolda McNeill
Tel: 020 7926 2841
Email: imcneill@lambeth.gov.uk

Press Release

Older Person's Champion visits sheltered housing

Councillor Daphne Hayes-Mojon, Lambeth Older Person's Champion, will complete her fact-finding tour of the council's sheltered housing on Thursday April 10. She will visit Bland and Burchall House sheltered housing unit on the Vauxhall Gardens Estate in Kennington.

She will then have been to all of the borough's 36 sheltered housing schemes as part of her mission to examine provision across the board for older persons. Councillor Hayes-Mojon is bringing a fresh eye to looking at improving services for this often-neglected section of the community.

Conversations with tenants and officers have thrown up a number of issues. These include security, homecare, repairs and decoration, the upkeep of communal grounds and individual gardens, contact with local beat police and health and safety.

The many active residents helping to organise events for fellow residents, such as shopping trips, socials, outings and bingo have impressed Councillor Hayes-Mojon. She also noted the number of units with computer training facilities and the good number of silver surfers at home on the net.

After each visit she has sent a detailed report of her findings to the manager of special housing needs and to the relevant neighbourhood housing office.

"I have found the project very worthwhile and have recommended improvements, some of which have already been implemented-for example, speeding up repairs and decorations and the re-introduction of a previously suspended library service, " she commented.

"Suggestions for improved locks for tenants' doors and windows and grounds maintenance are also being actively pursued. I particularly welcome the fact that four estates are being looked after on a voluntary basis by horticultural students from Lambeth College and other volunteers through my Adopt a Garden scheme."

She will now write a comprehensive report with recommendations, which will be used to help improve sheltered housing schemes in the future.

Note to Editors: Reporters and photographers are invited to attend the visit at Bland and Burchall House, Vauxhall Gardens, Kennington on Thursday April 10 at 11am.

Issued by the Communication Centre
London Borough of Lambeth
Lambeth Town Hall
Brixton Hill
London SW2 1RW

Telephone 020 7926 1000
Fax 020 7926 2835
www.lambeth.gov.uk

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