Supporting the National Housing Federation's Starts at Home campaign

That's why we're proud to be supporting Starts at Home, a national campaign that celebrates the value of care and support services and the difference that having a safe and secure place to call home makes to people's lives.

As part of the campaign, we'll be sharing stories from our customers about what supported housing means to them.

We spoke to Janet, a customer at one of our extra care schemes in Eston, to hear about her experience.

Janet's story

Janet moved into her home in Eston Community Village in 2016, after a decline in her health made living in her previous flat, and receiving support from family, more challenging.

Though she has been in her apartment for eight years now, Janet said that she was wary at first about moving into a supported living scheme and the potential loss of independence she imagined.

Janet said: “I thought I was going to come in and they would tell me what time to do things, but I realised I’ve got my own front door, so if I want to keep it shut then I can, if I want to get involved in anything I get involved.”

“Before I moved here, I only lived in a flat up the road, but I couldn’t dress or undress properly, so I used to stay in my night clothes. I couldn’t dry myself after getting out of the bath. Now I’m in here I feel like a normal person because I can get a shower and get dressed and the carers come over to support me. It might not be much to someone else, but being able to get dressed and undressed every day makes a big difference.

The sense of community that comes with being part of a supported living scheme has also benefitted Janet’s mental wellbeing: “The residents are really funny; they have lots of stories to tell. I love talking to them. You get close to everybody.

“I would say the carers are my favourite thing about living here. They don’t feel like staff members, they feel like friends. I’m really grateful for everything that they do. They are all lovely. They look after us.

With an open plan apartment and level access bathroom, Janet says that her home at Eston Community Village is more suited to her needs: “In my old flat I used to fall a lot, and a lot of the falls were in the bathroom because it was so tiny that I couldn’t twist my wheelchair around. These flats are much more catered to people with disabilities.

Living in Eston Community Village has also put Janet’s children’s minds at rest: “They don’t live near me, so they were so pleased when I moved in here. They used to worry about me, so they like it now I’m here. It gives you a lot of independence that you didn’t have before.”

“I think people can feel like they are a burden on their family, so when they move in here it makes them relax. It takes the strain off your family. There should be more accommodation like this.”

About the scheme

Barnaby House offers 91 safe and secure homes for over-55s, as well as people with disabilities or dementia, in Eston.

Eston Community Village, located adjacent to Barnaby House, was developed in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, centred around catering to the needs of people with dementia, learning difficulties and mental health problems.

The supported living scheme features 38 one-bedroom apartments which are modern and accessible to allow residents to live independently, while staff are on hand to support customers when they need it.

Read more about Thirteen's extra care and sheltered housing schemes.