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A new pilot project will see older people in Wigan benefit from a range of services, including floating support, social activities and personal care services. Launched this week, the scheme will provide short term housing related support and care to residents living within 1 kilometre of Brown Court, Housing 21’s sheltered scheme that will act as the “hub” for the pilot.
The aim is to respond to a wide range of needs and to promote independence and prevent or delay transfer into residential care. Residents of Brown Court will eventually be able to access site based 24 hour care tailored to meet their individual needs. A floating support service and access to a range of social activities will provide short term housing related support and meet the social needs of older people within the local community, regardless of tenure.
Christine Hawthorn, Care Service Development Manager, for Housing 21 said: “It is very sad when people have to move out of their homes because they need additional care, particularly overnight support. This project will allow them to remain in their own homes for longer.”
The project, which has been developed in partnership with Wigan Council, will allow the wider community, including those in receipt of floating support, to access communal and social facilities within Brown Court. This includes assisted bathing, a range of health and wellbeing initiatives and a catering service.
Bernard Walker, Wigan Council Director of Adult Services said: “Through the Supporting People Grant it has been possible to implement this pilot scheme. Wigan Council see this as an excellent opportunity to offer a new model of providing support to older people. We believe this is the way forward for future service provision and, via the pilot, we will be able to assess the effectiveness of the provision with a view to expanding this type of service in the future.”
The pilot will run until 31st March 2009 but it is hoped that it will be extended to other areas within the borough.
