A place to call home

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of social isolation and loneliness, especially among older members of our rural communities. With over 6000 properties across East Anglia, Saffron Housing Trust provides specialist housing to enable older residents and disabled people to live as independently as possible, while still supporting their wellbeing and keeping them connected to the community. We go behind the doors of two of their properties in Diss.

Designed to make life easier

The Independent Community Living Scheme in Thomas Manning Road consists of 23 one-bedroom bungalows. Each one is specially designed to make life a little easier for residents, including features like raised

electricity sockets, walk-in showers, wider doors, and step-free access from the path. There are also wellbeing coordinators onhand to provide access services that their tenants may need. For example, helping with money matters, fixing repairs and filling in forms. This became particularly vital during all the COVID-19 lockdowns. A tenant who’s lived at Thomas Manning Road since 2007 said: “I’m very happy with the bungalow, the wardens (wellbeing coordinators) are very good, and they helped me with hospital transportation during the lockdowns.”

24-hour care Saffron Housing Trust also offers homes for people needing between four and 13 hours of care a week. One of these Independent Community Living Plus schemes is Weavers Court, on Mount Street. Residents of Weavers Court have all the benefits of independent living. But they also have the reassurance of 24-hour care. Plus, communal facilities such as laundry, lounge, restaurant, bar and buggy store. A tenant of Weavers Court who recently moved to the scheme said: “Living at Weavers Court I’m closer to the town centre, the surgery is just across the road and my family are able to visit me regularly.”

For further information visit www.saffronhousing.co.uk, ring 01508 502337 or email asymonds@saffronhousing.co.uk