New pilot service aims to reduce falling at home

A new scheme to help prevent people falling in their homes is starting in York by a partnership of housing, health and safety experts.

Research commissioned by City of York Council from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 2015, identified that falls in the home was a cause for concern. Typically the risk of falls was increased due to missing stair rails, uneven flooring or poor internal lighting especially for children aged under five and older persons. Clifton ward was identified as one of the wards with a higher level of risk of falls than the city average

As part of its drive to offer preventative help and improve the quality of the city’s housing, the council brought together partners including the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. With its own public health, occupational therapy and building maintenance teams, it has developed a project to reduce the risk of falls for residents in their homes.

Over the 12-month pilot, free home safety checks will be offered to residents in Clifton ward, as part of the council’s YorWellbeing Services.

An advisor with handyperson skills and an occupational therapist will request home visits and offer practical advice specific to the resident and their home. The team can make simple improvements there and then such as fitting a grab rail or fitting brighter light bulbs, or their advice could include tightening carpets or using non-slip mats under rugs to smooth out trip risks or suggesting exercises to help the resident improve their balance. They will also signpost residents to other relevant services.

To date, the findings from the BRE study have been used to revise the council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy in 2016; to attract funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority to tackle excess cold by offering insulation grants or interest-free loans to owners or landlords; and to raise awareness of the link between quality accommodation and good health which included hosting a regional health and housing conference at the University of York.
(more…)

Appeal for information following theft at Foxwood Co-op store

Police are appealing for information to help identify the three men in the CCTV following a theft at the Co-op store in Beagle Ridge Drive, York.

Officers would like to speak to the three men in connection with the incident, which happened between 2.15pm and 2.30pm on Saturday 7 January 2017. A quantity of coffee and meat was stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police. Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to PC Rachel Shaw.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12170003776 when passing on any information.

Bid to save Carlton Tavern

Carlton Tavern

The York Council is to consider a bid by a local group who want the Carlton Tavern listed as an “asset of community value”.

The application will be considered on 10th April by the Council’s Executive Leader.

If successful, the listing would mean that the local community would have 6 months to raise the necessary funds to purchase the building.

Plans were announced last week to turn the Acomb Road building, which is currently a pub, into an elderly person care home.

Separately the Councils Executive on Thursday is to  consider the  conditions for the sale of the Oakhaven care home site.

As previously reported the Council has already agreed to sell the site to Ashley Homes at a private meeting.

The decision was apparently taken under delegated powers but is now set to be rubber stamped by the Councils Executive.