Age Concern Hounslow and the Home Office improve the home security of Hounslow’s over 65’s
As the Metropolitan Police reintroduce their campaign against burglary, Operation Bumblebee, and the number of burglaries rise in London the home security worries of the elder community are ever more important. Which is why Age Concern in Hounslow have started a new project funded by the Home Office's Safer Homes Fund tackling the serious home security issues faced by vulnerable older people.
The Project called "BE SAFE BE WELL" aims to increase the home security of the over 65’s in the Hounslow borough and in turn improve their general wellbeing. Often fearful and frail older people can become isolated and housebound which combined with unkempt gardens, home security bad habits and insecure windows and doors make them “easy targets” for bogus callers and burglars. Therefore the "BE SAFE BE WELL" projects intends to improve these problems free of charge by installing and upgrading door chains, spy holes, intercoms, key safes, window locks and door locks in the home, providing a garden clean up service and teaching the over 65’s techniques that will improve their home security. By improving their home security the project also aims to increase the peace of mind of vulnerable adults in the borough allowing them to feel comfortable in and enjoy their homes.
Age Concern Hounslow provides a range of services for older people living in the London Borough of Hounslow. These services include a Social Centre, information & Advice Service, a Handyperson Scheme, a fitness programme called Fit as a Fiddle and a foot care clinic known as Footsteps.Age Concern Hounslow's "active age" ethos sees older people as a valuable resource within the local community, drawing upon the skills and experience of older people to promote community cohesion and enrich the lives of younger people through our inter-generational work with local schools and colleges. Age Concern Hounslow works under contract to Hounslow Council and is supported by a range of charitable trusts and corporate sponsors, including City Bridge Trust, Tudor Trust, The Big Lottery Fund, Lloyds TSB Foundation, Awards for All, Ealing & Brentford Consolidated Charity, Glaxo Smith Kline and Thames Community Foundation. Age Concern Hounslow is a member of the Age Concern Federation and receives valuable support from the national organisation, Age Concern England, as well as the regional capacity-building organisation, Age Concern London.
Age Concern Hounslow is at Alexandra House, Albany Rd, Brentford, TW8 0NE (map)
November 19, 2009