"We ordered furniture and sensory equipment for him as well as referring him to social services for his care needs. I believed everything had been sorted as all referrals were in place but little did we know that due to his sensory needs he did not open the door to any of the services and never got back in touch with us. I thought it strange no one had heard from him for a while so I popped by so see how he was. No answer! Concerned, I pounded on the door until I got an answer. He had lost at least half of his body weight, had no food in the house, no sensory aids had been installed and he had no furniture besides a bed and small TV. He’d also had no income for the past 3 months.

Adam, our money management officer, set to work on his finances. I went to the local supermarket to get him some food essentials and also a hot meal that he could eat straight away. Adam got his housing benefit and PIP reinstated and backdated and I ordered the furniture he required and ensured all the services he needed contacted me for access . This way I was able to monitor exactly what was being delivered and ensure he got what he needed. Tia’s story I referred him to social services but did not end the case there. I continued to visit with them so I knew exactly what was being done. Since then he has been able to eat and is living much more comfortably than he had been. Our Community Projects team were also able to source a washing machine, fridge, microwave, wardrobe and arm chair for him.

Social services have added aids and adaptations and sensory goods, such as a flashing door bell so he will no longer miss appointments. I feel without our intervention he may have passed away not knowing what to do or who to turn to. Sometimes we have to be persistent until the end to get results.”

Recently, Age Concern UK reached out to Mags to see if she could help Keith, a 75-year-old who had needed help to find a new home.

Mags says; “I was approached by Age UK to see if I can offer help to Keith. He is an independent Yorkshire man who moved up to Manchester after marrying his wife 5 years ago. Keith had lost touch with friends and family in his hometown and had no support networks in Manchester.

“Keith said that for the first time in his life, he felt totally lost and unable to cope with the situation. He’d felt traumatised by the loss of his second wife who, similar to his first wife, had suffered lung cancer and he had supported and cared for both until the end.

Mags was able to help Keith with the practical aspects of moving home, she discussed his housing options and the potential to ‘rightsize’ from a 3-bedroom house, as well as introducing him to relevant support services in the local area. Within 2 months, Keith had moved and was settled in to his new home at Elmswood Park. Here’s what he said:

“All the staff at Elmswood have been wonderful. I can speak to them about any questions I have and I’m over the moon with the flat! I can’t believe I’m in such a lovely place. I dread to think where I would have ended up without Mags’ help - it doesn’t bear thinking about!”

Elmswood Park, Extra Care Scheme Coordinator – Simon Kirby says; “Keith is a proud man who has never asked for help in his life so we wanted to make the move-in process as simple and quick as possible. He appears to be settling in very well and making new friends. He just fitted right in.”