Housing case-studies: Cambridge Supported Housing

Rethink services aim to promote independence, and so its housing services are focussed on supporting people in their own homes.

The Cambridge Supported Housing service provides low-level supported housing to eight people over the age of 65, where they live independently in a small community and each is supported by a key-worker from Rethink who provides emotional and practical help. This service provides long-term accommodation – there is no expectation that residents should move on as their individual needs change as a result of ageing, and personal care is provided by other agencies.

“Our support workers help residents find activities which they will enjoy and find meaningful and help them develop a routine. We offer tailor-made support programmes, which cater to the residents’ own interests,” said service manager Maria Cabrita.

“We also offer some emotional support and liaise with other services that residents may require. If they are not independent enough to go out alone we’ll go with them, maybe doing a journey for the first time to help familiarise them with it.”

Rethink tries to encourage the residents to get involved in the service and arranges weekly house meetings where they can discuss any issues that arise. Staff also arrange social activities such as afternoon tea, games and gardening.

The service was commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council and set up in 2005 in a new building that belongs to a local housing association.