Bernicia is backing the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign urging the Government to commit more funding to help people with individual needs live independently in communities.
From left to right, Chris (Service lead), Erica (tenant), Kay (support worker).
Erica’s cookery lessons at the local Pennywell Neighbourhood Centre in Sunderland are paying off – much to her delight and that of her housemates and support workers.
The delicious smell of a homemade curry simmering on the cooker ready for teatime adds to the welcoming feel of her home in the heart of the city.
Erica’s culinary skills are just one part of the rich tapestry of her life with two other tenants supported by professionals to live in their four-bedroom Victorian terraced home.
Her home is one of 180 Bernicia has across the North East, offering supported living tailored to people with individual needs.
Bernicia works closely with local authority and support provider partners to ensure tenants are given the professional help they require to live life as independently as they can, in a community setting.
Erica, 37, who has learning difficulties, has lived in her home for nine years. She and her friends receive 24-hour care from a team of six professionals based with Community Integrated Care.
It is one of the original pioneers of the care in the community agenda – now one of Britain’s most innovative and successful care providers.
Service lead Chris Christie and his team have built close working relationships with Erica and her friends at their Sunderland home.
“We’ve seen massive changes in the tenants, Erica is much more independent, that’s what we do the job for to see people leading much more independent lives,” said Chris.
“I get massive rewards from that and enjoy it so much. Helping people and seeing them progress, there is no other reward like it in life.”
Colleague Kay Henson, one of Erica’s support workers, said: “We help them to cook, wash clothes, iron clothes, keep the house tidy and clean and do weekly health and safety checks, and if we find anything we report those to Bernicia.
“We source new activities for Erica and things she likes doing, support her going to the disco, taking her to card making class.
“She goes out to Pennywell Neighbourhood Centre to do card club and cookery lessons. She also volunteers there and was nominated for an award there, handing out food parcels to vulnerable people.”
Creating intricate mosaic art works on canvas – diamond art – is one of Erica’s favourite past times, as is compiling scrap books of days out with Kay and the team – the smiling photos showing the bond they have.
“I love doing diamond art,” said Erica. “I sit for ages doing it. Kay sits with me to help me. Kay helps me to do cookery, she’s a good member of staff. Chris is a good manager.”
Thursday night is disco night at the local Alexandra pub and for Erica, it’s a chance to meet friends and dance to her favourite artists and groups – Pink, Taylor Swift, Abba and Take That.
“Erica does a lot in her own home compared to where she started at, she has a lot of control over her life which is fantastic to see,” said Chris.
“She has an advocate who comes in to see her and he is absolutely over the moon, he loves hearing about how fantastically well she is doing.
“That’s the beauty of this house, you could walk past it and never know it is supported living, it’s just like everyone else’s house in the street.
“All the visitors love how welcoming this place is, it’s a home and that’s how we try to make it.
“When you walk past care homes they have signs and the staff wear uniforms with badges – we don’t stand out.
“We look like what we are, which is part of the community.”
Bernicia provides Erica’s home and manages her tenancy, as Wendy Quirk, Bernicia’s senior supported housing officer, explains.
“The support staff from providers like the team at Community Integrated Care provide the day-to-day care, helping tenants budget and with daily tasks.
“We provide the tenancy management for the property. We provide all the compliance services to make sure that home is safe and complies with the latest legislation.
“It’s very much a team effort working with the local authorities and support providers. It’s great for us all to see people are living their lives in the community and we help give people who need it the security and appropriate home to do that.”
