Hot off the press: HLINks – our essential sector news, including updates on COVID-19, two great new Housing LIN blogs, and so much more
Jeremy talks…
Two hard-hitting reports out this week reveal both the health and care system failures of the handling of Covid and tragic results of the thousands of deaths of older adults in care homes, and also the impact of Covid on the health and wellbeing of 50-70 year olds. The first by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee is highly critical of the initial decision to allow 25,000 untested elderly patients to be discharged from hospital into care homes and the years of neglect of the social care sector. It stated that this was an "appalling error". The second, a joint report by Ipsos Mori and the Centre for Ageing Better, captures the experience of lockdown among people in their 50s and 60s. Findings highlighted negative impacts such as on areas of mental & physical health as well as positive ones; for example, time with family, community involvement, time for reflection.
This week we also share two Covid retirement living-related guest blogs which, whilst highlighting different accounts of living in retirement housing, have a common bond in that they both address the way services have had to rapidly adjust in the light of the pandemic, turning the negatives into positives. The first, led by Hannah Humble at the University of Bristol, is on balconies and community space in extra care housing and how, with Coronavirus taking hold, they have utilised outdoor space to support community connectedness. The second, by Chris Barber, Central & Cecil Housing Trust's Resident Engagement Manager, showcases a variety of creative digital activities that have significantly helped their residents stay engaged, socially distanced but connected during lockdown.
In this week’s HLINks, you can also read our curated round-up of relevant news and events on later life living through the lens of homes and communities, health and social care, design and technology, and planning matters. Check all of this out in our latest weekly bulletin on our website or register online to receive our alerts and other notifications of your choice sent direct to your inbox.
And remember, if you would like to talk to us about any matters highlighted, share learning about your work and/or require our expert advice and guidance, email ‘Jeremy talks’ at: info@housinglin.org.uk
You can also listen to Jeremy talks… here
Best wishes and stay connected and be safe,
Jeremy
This week’s Housing LIN guest blogs
Balconies and Community Space in Extra Care Housing: Covid-19 and creating HAPPI outdoor space
As highlighted in this new Housing LIN blog by Hannah Rumble et al, during lockdown the balcony has become ‘the new front door’. Drawing on lessons of a project with the ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Cruse Bereavement Care, it describes how balconies have emerged as being key safe, social distancing, yet communal, spaces in extra care settings during lockdown.
Crafts & Creativity: A round up of C&Cs sheltered housing schemes’ online activities
This Housing LIN's blog by Central & Cecil's Residents Engagement Manager, Chris Barber, showcases a variety of inspiring creative digital activities that have significantly helped their older residents stay engaged, socially distanced but connected during the pandemic.
Work ready housing for all
The Housing LIN is proud to be a founding member of the WorkHome Project, launched last week. Our involvement is through the lens of older people and disabled adults
Through research and development the Project aims to reach out to inform and influence policy and spread the practice of innovative approaches of home working. There are also an excellent set of blogs, podcasts and signposts to useful resource available.
To coincide with the launch, we have created a new topic field on work ready housing on our online design hub and we will also be surveying our membership shortly about their residents’ and their own personal experiences on working from home. Watch this space and get involved!
Coronavirus Update
A selection of latest government advice guidelines and plans that are relevant for our sector include:
Other relevant COVID-19 news include:
And remember, check out on our Coronavirus Info Hub for a range of Housing LIN practice briefings for the sector and links to other useful information and websites.
Also, post or reply to questions on our discussion forum. It allows you to share information, raise issues and ask questions to solve a tricky issue. For example, can you share your organisation’s COVID-19 risk plan in preparation for the 2nd wave or information about how you are engaging with residents?
Housing, Community, Disability, and Ageing
- Ipsos Mori/Centre for Ageing Better report: The experience of people approaching later life in lockdown
- APPG on Health and Housing - 'Bridging the Health Gap' Meeting 16th July 2020 recording (incl. Housing LIN)
- Skimstone Arts: Doorbells Covid-19 - Meet Kathleen, whose life has changed during lockdown – perhaps for the better.
- starts at home campaign: Homes at the Heart of Living Well – celebrating sheltered and supported housing in 2020
- University of Stirling research: Housing and Ageing: Let’s Get Serious - “How Do You Plan for the Future while Addressing Immediate Chaos?”
Opinion pieces and blogs:
- Inside Housing feature: Why housing older people needs a far more nuanced approach
Design, Construction and Technology
- Digital Social Care report: The Impact of Technology in Adult Social Care Provider Services
Opinion pieces and blogs
- Centre for Ageing Better blog: What do we mean when we talk about ‘Inclusive Design’?
- Housing 21 blog: Construction in lockdown
- TSA feature: How Legrand Saw Shifting Demand During Covid-19
- Inside Housing article: We are working with L&Q to build the first LGBT co-housing scheme in the UK
- Social Care Today article: 1.7m vulnerable adults could be at risk during digital switchover
Health and care
- Public Accounts Committee report: Readying the NHS and social care for the COVID-19 peak
- Orbit Group report: Breathing Space: An independent evaluation of Orbit’s mental health programme
- ESRC report: Self-building our Lives: Social Care Research Report
- NHS Confederation report: Neighbourhood Integration Project
- BBC Panorama: The Forgotten Frontline
Opinion piece and blog
- Nesta article: We don’t want ‘normal’ – we want better
Planning
- TCPA Campaign: The Healthy Homes Act
- UCL feature: Government publishes UCL-led research on permitted development housing quality
- University of Reading blog: Building on the positives – the Impact of housing design and placemaking during lockdown
Planning tracker
Older People’s Care Development – Local Development Plan Monitoring
In association with Tetlow King Planning, this document monitors current local authority planning consultations that may be of interest for those seeking to develop housing for older people. The tracker is updated fortnightly.
Wales
Welsh government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
In other News:
- Our Future Wales: post-COVID-19 reconstruction consultation
Today is the last day for submitting ideas to the Welsh Government’s consultation. Housing LIN Cymru has done so through the lens of housing for older people and the ageing of Wales’ population. We drew particular attention to age-friendly innovations in the social housing sector and boosting supply of specialist housing that meets HAPPI design and construction requirements alongside the government’s commitment to the decarbonisation agenda. Responses should be emailed to ourfuturewales@gov.wales
Scotland
Scottish government guidance on COVID-19 can be found at https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
Forthcoming Events
Getting ready for VJ Day on 15 August – Get engaged
Saturday, 15 August 2020 is the 75th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day), marking both the surrender of Japan and the end of the fighting during the Second World War. We have been approached by the National Memorial Arboretum, who along with The Royal British Legion, are playing leading roles in the commemorations. They are looking for individuals from the Second World War generation who are interested in sharing their stories and memories from VJ Day. It would like to hear a range of stories from those who served in the Asia Pacific region and their loved ones, to those who marked VJ Day at home.
Housing LIN Events
In light of the coronavirus outbreak we have cancelled all our upcoming regional meetings and training courses until further notice. We are currently exploring how to hold these events online, so watch this space!
In the meantime, we are pleased to be involved/support the following virtual events:
- Appello - Meeting expectations with digital telecare (various dates)
- Healthy City Design 2020: International Congress & Exhibition (12 to 13 October)
- HRF Academic Conference - Happy Homes, Happy Society? (12 to 13 November)
Housing LIN Staffing Matters
In recent months, we have seen several changes to the way the Housing LIN has operated; for example, we have deployed technology to keep our networking open, building on our existing platform. This includes supporting staff working from home and/or furloughed
However, I am also sad to report that Clare, Reuben and Sophie are leaving the Housing LIN to take up either another job, further study and to pursue other opportunities. A virtual goodbye from all of us at the Housing LIN. We look forward to celebrating your time with us properly once lockdown has eased even further.
On behalf of all of us, a big thank you for contributing to our success. We wish you continued success in your new professional, academic and creative adventures.
Jeremy
Next week
And next week, we are looking forward to promoting the initial findings from the Appello/Housing LIN digital divide survey along with 2 further guest blogs. One on the value of homelessness and design housing for older people with Covid in mind.
The Housing LIN would like to thank Willmott Dixon for their support in producing this newsletter.