Help the Aged (HTA) was awarded £175,000 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, for new dedicated wardens to help vulnerable older residents in pilot projects in three regions: Hull (East Yorkshire), Walsall (West Midlands), and Boscombe (Dorset).
The pilot projects aim to reduce isolation and fear of crime by providing a reassuring presence, so increasing the quality of life of vulnerable older people. High visibility patrols, personal alarms, and improved links with community services are central to the new wardens' role and duties, which include:
Goodwin Development Trust (GDT) manages the specialised warden scheme in Hull, a large voluntary sector scheme able to assist vulnerable older people across 13 areas with the help of a Handy Van provided by HTA, as part of the project.
Walsall's scheme is founded on a Housing Association background and proven past performance in helping the disadvantaged and vulnerable; it is based in the Darlaston area, but there is hope of expansion through more wardens on patrol.
Boscombe's small local authority scheme is in a Neighbourhood Pathfinder area, and there are plans for expansion.
Continued Cuts to Services for the Vulnerable Unsustainable?
The Government announced a £30 million cut in funding for vulnerable and older people's services. The Local Government Settlement, published alongside Gordon Brown's pre-budget report, details funding for the Supporting People budget for 2006/07, and marks the fourth consecutive year the budget has been trimmed. A further reduction of 5% in funding will follow next year.
The National Housing Federation expressed alarm at the chop, fearing cuts in essential services. Indeed, the grant conditions, published alongside the settlement, propose that local authorities should be allowed to close some key services, e.g. services for people fleeing domestic violence, without permission from the secretary of state, in order to implement savings.
The consultation paper also warns local authorities against using local connection criteria to determine potential service users' access to services, as this could result in further budget cuts.
World's First Online Disability Housing Register: www.accessahome.co.uk
The world's first online Disability Housing Register (DHR) went live. The Accessahome multi-authority DHR is designed to quickly match people to existing adapted homes, improving how scarce accessible housing is used. Launched by Ability HA, the DHR, which can be deployed by any housing provider with adapted property, aims to offer disabled people more housing options and increased choice about where they live. The SHR should also save local authorities millions, as adaptations for disabled people are paid for by grants from local authorities, whilst costly existing adaptations are frequently removed to fill empty houses quickly.