Garden party celebrates supported housing

Wellingborough Homes residents at Hollowell Court - a sheltered housing scheme in Wood Lane, Wellingborough - held a garden party to celebrate the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Month on Thursday (June 17).

The national housing body has used the month of June to raise awareness of the range of supported housing and support services provided by housing associations up and down the country.

Wellingborough Homes put on the garden party for residents at Hollowell Court, with live music provided by Sir Christopher Hatton School Brass Ensemble.

Residents from Cordwainers a sheltered housing scheme in Rushden run by fellow local landlord, Spire Homes, also attended having hosted a visit from the Wellingborough residents earlier in the month. Both Hollowell Court and Cordwainers have benefited from refurbishments to improve the quality of accommodation on offer to older residents.

Louise Allen, Welfare Services Manager at Wellingborough Homes, said: “We provide a range of accommodation and services to older and vulnerable residents, from sheltered housing with on-site support and links to our emergency response, to tenancy support to help people living in general needs housing.

“The National Housing Federation campaign during June has been a great opportunity to recognise the work everyone in the housing sector does to support residents with a wide range of needs.”

Neil Griffiths, East Midlands Regional Manager for the National Housing Federation said: “In the current financial climate, it is vitally important that commissioners, MPs, stakeholders and councillors are fully aware of the contribution that the housing sector is making in supporting and improving the lives of so many individuals in communities throughout the region.

“With recent changes to the way funding is allocated for these services, it’s more important than ever that those that hold the purse strings are aware of the impact they are making. National research from the Department for Communities and Local Government shows that every pound spent on Supporting People saves £2.12 on other public services.”