South Somerset Homes tenant retires after 21 years voluntary work for Meals on Wheels Service
25 May 2004

(From left to right) Lynne Thompson (Project Manager, Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies), presents the Code of Practice Certificate to David Mansfield (Director of Housing, SSH), Darrell Jackson (Head of Community Services, SSH) and Judith Wilkins (Supported Housing Development Officer)

Local housing association, South Somerset Homes is leading the way when it comes to setting the standards for providing older persons housing. South Somerset Homes has become the first organisation in the country to be awarded the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies's revised Code of Practice.

The Code of Practice is a nationally recognised kitemark of quality for organisations providing sheltered housing and covers 10 major areas of service including equality of opportunity, diversity, confidentiality, promoting independence, continuous improvement and having trained and supported staff.

To obtain the Code, South Somerset Homes were required to provide evidence showing a range of appropriate policies relating to the older persons service, as well as demonstrating that these policies are put into practice.

Darrell Jackson, Head of Community Services said, “This is a marvellous achievement for the whole service and reflects the hard work of a great number of people. Many significant changes have been made to the service in the last two years and the award of the Code reflects the commitment that South Somerset Homes has for providing a quality service to its residents”.

A presentation took place at the headquarters of South Somerset Homes and Lynne Thompson; Projects Manager at the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies presented the certificates to each of the Scheme Managers from the older person's schemes.

She said “The Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies are delighted to congratulate South Somerset Homes, the first sheltered housing provider to achieve the enhanced Code of Practice, in line with the Supporting People national quality standards . Their service was commended by the External Assessor and their portfolio described as excellent.”

Holding the SSH banner is Penny Wyatt (Scheme Manager, SSH) with Judith Wilkins (Supported Housing Development Officer, SSH). To their left is Lynne Thompson (Projects Manager, Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies. Around them are all the other Scheme Managers who each received a certificate and other representatives from SSH.