Slipper Swap Shop Helps Bolton's Pensioners

Published by simonb for National Federation of ALMOs in Housing and also in Communities, Health

Bolton at Home Launches New Slipper ‘Swap Shop’ to Prevent Accidents in the Homes of the Elderly

Thousands of elderly residents in Bolton are being urged to take part in a slipper swap shop’ encouraging them to trade in their old worn slippers for free, well-fitting versions in an attempt to reduce the risk of trips, slips and falls in the home.

Set up by Bolton at Home the leading social housing organisation which manages approximately 18,500 homes in the town, the campaign will see thousands of elderly residents benefit by being given free, fitted footwear to replace sloppy slippers, in turn reducing the chance of accidents in the home.

A series of ‘slipper swap shop’ events are being rolled out across Bolton to emphasise the importance of stable footwear in preventing falls. Held across eight sheltered housing facilities, the safety drive also includes performances from members of the Octagon Theatre’s ‘activ8’ group to highlight the importance of stable footwear in preventing falls.

Backed by Bolton at Home’s Older People’s Forum - a consultation panel used by Bolton at Home’s Elderly Services team – the campaign is part of a widespread programme to enhance the safety and well-being of council housing tenants in the town.

Bolton’s elderly residents recently rang time on pickpockets after Bolton at Home teamed up with Greater Manchester Police to issue thousands of cat bells for pensioners to attach to their personal belongings in a bid to combat the growing issue of personal crime.

Known fondly in the local area as ‘Jingle Bells’, the scheme encourages residents to attach the bells onto their handbags, purses and other valuables, so as to raise an effective alarm in the event of being targeted by a pickpocket. On hearing the bells the potential thief is then discouraged from seeing the crime through.

According to the most recent figures, 1,330 elderly citizens have an accident in the home every day and over the course of a year this equates to almost half a million accidents. And with the elderly population rising year-on – year, this number could well increase if preventative measures aren’t taken.

Hilda Freeman, a pensioner from Drummond St, Halliwell, said: “The slipper exchange has been thoroughly enjoyable. Watching the play was good fun, but it also carried a serious message about how important good slippers can be, especially for older residents.”

Chair of Bolton at Home, Noel Spencer added: “Bolton at Home is dedicated to the continued personal safety of its customers, particularly vulnerable individuals and older people. The Slipper Exhange has proved to be a fantastic, fun idea which has been embraced by many of our elderly residents and is one we are confident will deliver real benefits by reducing accidents in the home.”

Bolton at Home was set up as an Arms length Management Organisation (ALMO) in 2003 to manage the Council’s housing stock. Bolton at Home was the first North-West housing organisation to receive a three-star rating from the Audit Commission in 2005 and the ALMO has since invested £250 million in improving and modernising council properties. The ALMO is run by a Board of councillors, independent members and tenants, with support from seven sub-groups.

The slipper exchange events have been supported by Bolton Council’s Adult Services (Telecare) and Bolton Primary Care Trust.
 

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For further information, contact Louise Vaughan or Simon Baylis at Acceleris Marketing Communications on 0845 4567 251/ simonb@acceleris-mc.com