Helping Honeycroft residents stay independent and connected

Residents at Lawford’s Honeycroft have been given practical advice to help them stay safe, well and connected, thanks to a community event bringing local support services directly to their doorstep.   The event, hosted by Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) in partnership with Tendring District Council (TDC), brought together around 20 residents from the council’s Honeycroft development in Waldegrave Way and the wider community.  They met with organisations offering support on a range of issues, including energy bills, fire safety, digital skills, wellbeing and staying independent.

AbilityNet was on hand to support residents with digital access and technology, helping people feel more confident using online services and keeping in touch. Following positive conversations at the event, the charity has agreed to deliver group sessions at future sheltered housing residents’ meetings.

The Bill Clinic also offered free energy bill reviews and money-saving advice, building on its existing work with sheltered housing residents across the district to help people better understand their energy use and identify where savings may be possible.

Residents were also able to speak to Age Well East about support for older people, including benefits advice, digital inclusion, dementia services and befriending for those who may be feeling isolated.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service shared practical home safety advice and promoted its free Home Safety Visit programme. Fire crews will be visiting residents at Kate Daniels House in Weeley, and St Mary’s Court in Clacton, this month, with hopes of extending visits to other sheltered housing schemes in the future.

The event gave residents the chance to ask questions face-to-face, find out more about help available locally and build links with organisations that can support them to remain independent and part of their community.

Councillor Andy Baker, TDC cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “We are proud of the services we provide for our residents, including through our housing schemes, and this event is a great example of how working closely with partners can make a real difference to people’s quality of life.  By bringing practical advice and support directly to residents, we can help people feel more confident, more connected and better able to live independently in the communities they call home.  I would like to thank CVST and all of the organisations involved for giving their time and helping residents access the support available to them.”

The Honeycroft development is a £3.25 million scheme built on a former brownfield site, offering 21 single-storey homes specially designed for older residents.  It supports the council’s priorities by helping residents take pride in local services, while enabling people to stay independent and part of their community as their needs change.