Aim
The aim of this DP was to create a step change in how communities integrate with sheltered housing and the older people who live there.
In particular the vision was to use the life experiences of older people to contribute to the experience of disadvantaged groups in the neighbourhood community.
The idea was to create a non-threatening way of reaching disadvantaged people within the sheltered housing community and including older people in the life of the community. This approach recognises the contribution older people have to make.
Main Outcomes
The impact has been to create a show case of good practice which will be embedded into industry standard training during 2006. The reality has been a case history of successful application of the vision. An unexpected benefit of the process has been the two-way nature of interaction – there has been joint mutual learning and advantage for both disadvantaged groups and older people.
There are far reaching implications of the project for the ODPM and DfES.
The learning from the project will be embedded within the industry standards at Level 3 – practitioners running sheltered housing which are due to be re-written during 2006. The training package will include a module on establishing links with community groups using Charter Housing in Newport as a case study. This will be available during 2006
