A Caring Call at Christmas

Published by Rob1 for Community Gateway Association in Housing and also in Communities

After last year’s harsh winter, colleagues from Community Gateway Association (CGA) took to the phones this week to check potentially vulnerable customers acrossPrestonwould be alright if the same thing happened again.

Using their customer information, the Association identified over 500 elderly and vulnerable residents and checked that they had working central heating, support from family or friends and CGA’s freephone telephone number?

A number of customers who said they needed extra support have had follow up visits from CGA’s Supported Housing team and will be called again to make sure they are coping during any future cold snap.

After speaking to more than 450 people, the overwhelming response has been positive – with customers being grateful for the call, especially at this time of year.

Mr McDonald, an 88 year-old tenant who was contacted said, “Thank you to Gateway for taking the time to contact me and find out if I will be OK over Christmas. I thought this was a wonderful thing for them to do and I wish them all a Merry Christmas.

Gary Cook Head of Supported Housing commented “The feedback has been brilliant. Tenants have been appreciative that CGA has contacted them. It's been a really worthwhile exercise to make sure that everyone knows how to best operate their central heating and have all been reminded of our freephone number.”

CGA’s offices are closed from 4.00pm on 23 December to 8.00am on 3 January. Gateway Direct will be open throughought that period on 0800 953 0213