Somerset Council will provide support and guidance to the residents of two sheltered housing schemes in Wellington after it was announced that they are both set to close.
Sheltered Housing is a type of accommodation for older people who are mainly retired and can live independently but choose to live in a safe and secure environment.
On 23 April, The Abbeyfield Society informed Somerset Council that Ivy House and The Old Vicarage, two sheltered housing schemes which are run by The Abbeyfield Society, will be shutting down following a consultation that started in May 2023.
The consultation was launched after The Abbeyfield Society was unable to find a suitable housing provider to take over the management of the schemes, which house a combined 45 older people. There is currently no set date for the closures.
Somerset Council will work closely with The Abbeyfield Society, the residents of Ivy House and The Old Vicarage and their families to minimise the disruption and distress caused by the closures. They will provide advice on alternative housing options to all affected residents, and those who have care requirements will receive appropriate support and guidance from the Council’s Adult Social Care teams.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Lead Member for Adult Social Care at Somerset Council, said:
I am saddened and concerned by the news that Ivy House and The Old Vicarage will be closing and understand the impact that this will have on the residents and their loved ones. We had hoped that it might be possible for another operator to take over these facilities but this has not proved possible. Our teams are willing and prepared to help them through this difficult time and will absolutely make sure they have access to the support and information they need.”
“We recognise the value and importance of sheltered housing for older people in our communities, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of affordable and quality accommodation for our ageing population in Somerset.”
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture at Somerset Council, said:
I am deeply saddened by the news that The Abbeyfield Society will be closing Ivy House and The Old Vicarage, which have been home to many older people in our community for years.”
“We understand that this must have been a very difficult decision, but we are concerned about the impact these closures will have on residents, their families, and staff at both homes. People who live in sheltered housing tend to be elderly and vulnerable, and need stability and security. Supporting affected residents to find alternative accommodation that meets their needs and preferences is our top priority, and we will work closely with Abbeyfield to ensure a smooth and respectful transition for everyone involved.”
A spokesperson for The Abbeyfield Society said:
Since the consultation began, we have consulted at length with a large number of stakeholders about the potential options available to try and keep the homes open and serving their community.”
“Having explored all avenues we cannot see a way of maintaining the properties as financially sustainable services that are fit for purpose in the future. As a charity, we never want to close any of our homes, however, part of being a responsible organisation is recognising when you need to make a difficult decision, and this regretfully was one of those occasions.”
“Our priority now that we have announced closure is to provide affected residents with the support they need to find alternative accommodation where they will be happy. We will be doing everything we can to ensure that the closure and moving process runs as smoothly as possible for them.”
Anyone affected who needs housing advice and support is encouraged to contact Somerset Council and use the self-referral service on the website, where a member of the Housing Options team will be in contact. Find more information here: Homelessness referral and assessment (somerset.gov.uk).
