Celebrating Housing Success in Cumbria

18 April 2008

In March, Acton for Blind People Cumbria came to the end of their two year Housing project funded by The Big Lottery.

Not only had the project achieved its objectives, it had exceeded expectation, with over 105 visually impaired people supported with housing issues. These ranged from benefit and debt advice to antisocial behaviour and homelessness.

To celebrate their success, the team invited over 40 of their housing partners to a networking lunch at Action’s Carlisle office, to hear more about the service and why it works so well.

Housing Coordinator Hazel Bowmaker, explained how the Action Housing service works but left partners and users to say the rest. This was followed by talks on Visual Awareness Training and demonstrations of the latest home aids. Several of the Housing Association delegates took advantage of the opportunity to review the accessibility of their own websites, with Assistive Technology Coordinator, Gill Curwen. Many were surprised at just how difficult it could be for blind and partially sighted people to find the housing information they needed.

The event was a real success with housing colleagues attending from across the county, as far afield as Barrow and Whitehaven, over three hours away. As a result of discussions with housing colleagues, the Cumbria team are developing a priority referral system with the Citizens Advice Bureau and working with Impact Housing Association to involve user groups in their Choice Based Letting Scheme.

Although the funding is at an end, the work goes on for Hazel and the Housing Team, helping people like George Marriott,aged 63 from Carlisle. He lived in a first floor housing association flat for over twelve years, but his poor vision caused him difficulty with the stairs and he couldn't cope. Hazel made the Association fully aware of his situation and George was moved to a flat just four doors away.

George says: “It happened quickly, much faster than I expected. Action helped to speed everything up. I feel much safer in my home now. I have my own front door now and I am in control again!”