After years of uncertainty, I have found a safe haven... | News
After years of uncertainty, I have found a safe haven...
Today is Starts at Home Day, when housing associations across the country celebrate supported housing and the positive impact it makes on people's lives. We have spoken to some of our residents to find out what difference it has made to them..
How did I end up here?
That's a question often asked in sheltered housing. There are as many reasons as there are residents' stories - this is mine.
“In 2004, my world as a hard working infant teacher and single parent of three teenagers fell apart. A frightening illness – acute myeloid leukaemia - tore me away from my rented house, job and family, and I spent months in and out of King's College Hospital. I lost my career, the house I was buying and nearly my life, but I was blessed – I went into full remission and eventually was able to take part time work.
My children left home one by one and my health declined again. I found myself struggling with congestive heart failure (chemo damage) and I couldn't manage the stairs in my little house.
We were all anxious, but my children were spreading their wings away from Sussex. Something had to change. I was eligible for sheltered housing and was offered a flat in Fairholme (a sheltered housing scheme previously owned by Sussex Housing & Care) which was just around the corner. The day I viewed the flat I felt sad that my life was over! How did I end up here? My daughter hugged me and reassured me that it was my choice but I would have a secure tenancy at last and support when I needed it.
How grateful I became for the Scheme Manager, my neighbours and the pull-cord (I used it twice to call an ambulance). It was a relief to feel safe and my children were set free from the worry that Ma would be ill alone.
Now, six years on, I am well, thanks to a pacemaker, and I live a full life at Clevedown. The wonderful gardens here have been a salvation and I am helping to renovate them. Yoga, music and quizzes here and walking, singing and social events outside help bring me fulfilment.
After years of uncertainty, I have found a safe haven.”