ELDERLY people living in two sheltered housing schemes in West Somerset were this week reassured their homes were not under threat.

It follows news of a review by the Abbeyfield Society of 13 homes across the Westcountry, with decisions on their futures due at the end of July.

Abbeyfield managers have been visiting Westcountry properties to personally tell tenants, all of whom are aged 55 years and older, of the review.

Some staff and residents in properties already visited were left in tears at the thought of losing their jobs and the homes in which many had lived for years.

The Free Press understands Abbeyfield wants to close the 13 homes and that the society was facing financial pressures, although the charity said the issue was not finance-related, and independent Abbeyfield societies were unaffected.

The charity has been conducting a rolling programme of visiting the homes to tell tenants it was starting a consultation period which will run until the end of July, with staff subject to a 45-day consultation.

Having started in Cornwall, the society has moved up country through Devon and into Somerset, and on Thursday (May 18) met residents in its two Wellington homes.

But, it said two homes on Exmoor - Abbeyfield House, in Lady Street, Dulverton, and The Laurels, in High Street, Porlock - were unaffected by the review because they were each run by independent societies.

Dulverton’s recently refurbished Abbeyfield House has nine residents’ rooms and a two-bedroom flat on two floors, all with en-suite facilities and each floor has a resident’s kitchen for self-catering occasions.

The Laurels, Porlock.
The Laurels, Porlock. (Abbeyfield Porlock Society)

The Laurels, built in the 1600s and previously used as a doctor’s surgery, has seven rooms each with a kitchenette and en suite bathroom, and also has a separate flat.

Abbeyfield chief executive Paul Tennant told other media that no decisions had yet been made and the charity would listen to all suggestions during the consultation.

Mr Tennant said: “We are trying to recognise the challenges and be open with people about the discussion and explore opportunities.

“That may be with a whole range of agencies, whether it be the local authority, housing associations or other stakeholders.”

Abbeyfield Society has been under financial pressure from rising energy costs, inflation, and rapidly increasing operating costs, while at the same time it was facing lower occupancy rates in its homes and an expensive backlog of maintenance work.

The charity’s latest financial results, for the year ending March, 2022, showed a loss of £15.1 million compared to a £1.3 million profit the previous year.

Abbeyfield chairman Jenny Lawrence said in her annual report: “Our ambition to showcase how we support older people and the wellbeing benefits that living with us brings, continues to be an important focus.

“Given the backdrop of sector challenges, increasing loneliness among the older population, the impact of the later retirement age and future financial status, the Abbeyfield offer is as relevant today as it has ever been.”

Abbeyfield was founded more than 60 years ago and on its website states: “Community is at the heart of Abbeyfield, where people come together to share meals, company, and enjoy life.

“Abbeyfield is more than a home, it is a neighbourhood, a community, a family.”