Shoreline Adopt-a-Scheme

Published by Shoreline for Shoreline Housing Partnership in Housing and also in Communities

Shoreline employees are ‘adopting sheltered schemes’ this winter as part of their emergency preparations.

Employees living in the vicinity of Shoreline sheltered accommodation schemes have volunteered to ‘adopt it’ so that in the event of an emergency or severe weather they can attend and offer assistance.

Shoreline head of housing services Rachel Munoz said: “As we all know it is important to check on our elderly neighbours especially in severe weather conditions and this is an extension of that.

“Many of our employees are office based and may not work in sheltered accommodation but they may live close to a scheme while those employees who do work in our sheltered accommodation may not be able to get into work depending on the conditions.

“We all still work for Shoreline and we want to make sure that our residents, especially those that are elderly or isolated have the help and support they may need.

“It’s also an excellent opportunity for our employees to build relations with our residents.”

Over 25 employees have signed up to the scheme. And while most schemes are covered not all have been adopted.

The assistance will depend on the circumstance but will generally involve:

• Checking that residents are okay and providing calming reassurances
• Liaising through Carelink if residents have emergency needs such as essential medication or access to health care
• Providing information to residents who can be isolated and might not be aware that usual visitors such as carers or relatives cannot get to them.
• Being a point of contact to seek practical solutions to individual difficulties, such as someone unable to get out for essential basic supplies.
• If fit and able to do so, to assist in practical matters such as spreading grit around main entrances.
• Reminding residents of the risks of seeking to go out.