Part of our work in housing is help support vulnerable people so they can carry on living in their own home and not have to go into hospital or care.
Together with Suffolk’s other district councils and the County Council, set up the Independent Living in Suffolk service (ILS) back in December to replace an outside service whose contract had come to an end.
Enquiries are assessed by Suffolk County Council. West Suffolk Council then helps people with the application process and supplies residents with a list of local contractors that can carry out the work required.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, between December and the end of March we paid out more than £700,000 in grants to more than 100 people, helping them with adaptions so they could carry on living in their home. These vary from a simple grab rail to building an extension.
But we anticipate with many of the most vulnerable shielding until they were vaccinated, there will be many more enquiries to come in 2021/22 – and the good news is we’ve just been given £1.5m in West Suffolk from the Government’s Better Care Fund to help people.
It means better health outcomes for the individual, helping couples to remain together, helping people stay in their community close to their family and friends.
And it reduces hospital and care admissions which has wider benefits for our society as a whole.
If you know anyone who wishes to enquire about Independent Living in Suffolk, they should call 0800 121 7711 or email
For more information visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/how-social-care-can-help/independent-living-suffolk