Resident at Somers Court in Wisbech expresses concerns over living standards as home is closing down

“I don’t want to be the next person leaving here in a wooden box”, were the words of a supported living resident as she described what she says is a decline in standards of living.

The resident of Somers Court in Wisbech, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed her concerns while the supported living accommodation is in the process of being closed down.

Somers Court was purchased by Housing 21 in 2023 from Clarion Housing and comprises of 38 apartments for older people.

Housing 21 announced last year that it would be closing and helping its residents find alternative accommodation.

However, the resident told the Fenland Citizen that the stress of having to move is having a serious impact on the health of its residents.

The resident said that two others who lived in the building have died since the announcement - one allegedly caused by a stress-related stroke.

“I don’t want to be the next one leaving here in a wooden box,” she said.

“I’ve been separated from my partner, who lived at Somers Court, for 13 weeks now. He’s been put in residential care.

“They are breaking up relationships and friendships.”

The resident also said that Somers Court no longer has a chef in its kitchen, and that staff are serving up ready meals for residents to eat most days.

She added: “The carers here are not appreciated enough, they are good people.”

The resident said she has received some help finding a bungalow.

However, she added: “I have been told when I move into a bungalow, I can’t have a mobility scooter as it is a fire risk.”

When approached by the Fenland Citizen about the residents’ concerns, a spokesperson from Housing 21 said that they are aiming to find accommodation for everyone at Somers Court by the summer.

The spokesperson said: “The quality of properties at Somers Court does not meet contemporary standards or Decent Homes Standards and does not reflect the quality of properties managed by Housing 21.

“As such, we advised residents of the difficult decision to close Somers Court in September last year.

“Since then, we have been providing one-on-one support to residents to help find them alternative, suitable accommodation. We have been working in partnership with external stakeholders, including Fenland District Council, who allocated all residents emergency housing status, and Cambridgeshire County Council, which offered all residents a care assessment to ensure their future support needs were considered.

“We have also been supporting residents with arranging and funding the costs of moving, as well as providing necessary compensation through the Home Loss Payment.

“We anticipate all residents will have found suitable accommodation by summer 2025. Once the building is empty, we will look to regenerate the site to deliver a new, purpose-built social rented scheme with self-contained apartments offering independent living for older people.”