Pensioners launch bid to save job

Feb 11 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

PENSIONERS are pinning their faith on grey power to save the jobs of their popular wardens.

They have written to their MP urging her help in retaining Michelle Hughes, the warden at Castle Court Sheltered Housing in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham.

Residents in another complex, Magdalene Court in Medomsley, near Consett, have protested about the planned cuts to local councillors.

The residents at Castle Court say their lives have been transformed for the better since Ms Hughes was hired by Derwentside Homes, their landlord, seven months ago.

But Michelle’s post is being scrapped by housing bosses.

Florence Harrison, 84, said: “Without her we will be like a lost city. She is our link with the outside world.”

Frank Clark, 82, said: “Since Michelle came she has organised parties, outings, a trip to the coast at South Shields, another trip to the theatre.

Muriel Edgar, who wrote to her MP, Hilary Armstrong, asking her to intervene, added: “By organising various events Michelle has helped us all to get to know one another better, to be part of a community.

“Other sheltered housing complexes have their own wardens so I don’t see why we should be the ones to miss out.

Samantha Gibson, Director of Housing at Derwentside Homes, said: “We know the residents value the warden service, as we do ourselves, which is why we have reviewed the entire service over recent months to find the best way to maintain it within the resources we have. Now this review is complete, we will not be retaining two temporary posts. These will instead be covered by existing permanent full time staff and we are sure they will continue to carry out the outstanding work tenants have experienced to date.”

But another Castle Court resident Michael Bell, 62, said: “A new warden will share duties here with a job at another sheltered accommodation complex, which is not the same as having our own warden. It simply isn’t good enough.”

Residents at Magdalene Court wrote to their landlords saying: “The tenants feel secure and safe when the warden is around. Please let us know what is going as these are people's lives Derwentside Homes is playing with.”