SARH’s ‘You First’ team helps to promote independent living for older customers

THEY used to be known as wardens but now a team of Independent Living Co-ordinators is helping hundreds of older people living in Stafford to lead more independent lives.

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has more than 900 homes for customers aged 55 and over across 19 different schemes in the borough and a team of Independent Living Co-ordinators is helping these customers to live independently.

Sarah Wyke, head of Independent Living for SARH, said: “Many people know of us as wardens and the properties we manage as sheltered schemes but we’ve changed these names to reflect the fact our service now offers far more than it has done traditionally.

“The service is now called ‘You First’ and we are now called Independent Living Co-ordinators because our role is no longer just to make sure that we are there for our customers when they are poorly or in need of assistance, we also work with our customers to put together a personal support plan and help them maximise their enjoyment of life through a range of social and healthy activities.”

Some of the activities organised at SARH’s schemes include ‘fit as a fiddle’ classes to promote health and wellbeing, scheme walkabouts, and arts and crafts clubs.

SARH also provides around the clock support to its most vulnerable customers’ who want to continue living independently in their own home.

This is done through a wide range of ‘telecare’ equipment from lifelines to pendants and fall sensors linked to a control centre operating 24-hours a day all year around.

“Our telecare service gives our most vulnerable customers added piece of mind that there is always someone at hand to help them in the event of an emergency,” said Sarah Wyke.

For more information about SARH’s You First services please call a member of the ‘You First’ Team on 0800 111 4334