A campaign has been launched to reinstate wardens in council housing blocks and sheltered housing. David Mowat, an outreach worker in Barton Hill who has worked in the community for over 30 years, believes tensions could be averted and housing issues resolved with residential support.
Mr Mowat, who plans on bringing a petition to Bristol City Council next month, is particularly concerned about the issues arising from the loss of live-in wardens in sheltered accommodation. Mr Mowat said that, in Bristol, the council changed the rules surrounding sheltered accommodation to lower the age limit to 50 as a way of tackling the housing crisis and removed live-in wardens at the same time.
While many council housing blocks still have caretakers, previously they had wider responsibilities. Although in Bristol fire wardens have recently been employed to patrol high rise council buildings amid safety concerns, they are not trained in supporting residents with wider safety issues or specific housing concerns.
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The move away from residential wardens in sheltered accommodation across the country began in 2003 when Local Authorities were required to review all their Sheltered Housing schemes. By 2009, a judicial review into the removal of residential wardens in Barnet and Portsmouth was deemed unlawful due to it being a breach of tenancy agreements and in contradiction to the disability discrimination act. Elsewhere, including Bristol where no such challenges were made, the floating wardens approach has been implemented alongside other changes such as the lowering of the age of admission to 50.
Mr Mowat, who offers support to people living in several sheltered housing units such as Mary Court, Rowan Court and Princess Royal Gardens, has seen first hand some of the problems people are facing which he believes could be solved by wardens. Easton ward councillor Barry Parsons, who is supporting the campaign, said that he has also spoken to residents living in council-run older people's housing in Redfield and believes that reintroducing wardens would be beneficial to tackling loneliness and isolation among other issues.
Where live in wardens still exist, they are often provided by charities. Key Ring Network, a charity supporting adults with additional needs, has a residential warden in Bristol. The volunteer lives in the same housing unit and in exchange for her part-time role as a support worker, she receives free accommodation from Sovereign housing.
Mr Mowat believes that a similar model could be implemented across relevant council housing and alternative housing providers and would not cost a lot of money. Although council owned high rise buildings in Bristol currently have fire wardens and caretakers, these workers are not contracted to provide any community support to tenants.
Mr Mowat said: “The places I’m particularly concerned about are places which used to be elderly persons dwellings. They were designed back in the 60s and 70s as communities with independent flats and rounded courtyards with a community room and kitchen.
“Since I’ve been working in these places, I’ve heard stories about wardens making breakfast, taking residents out on trips and setting up bingo games. I would extend the argument to any social housing block over a certain size.
“Thirty years ago, I worked with a community caretaker in Glendare House in Barton Hill before it was knocked down. The caretaker's job, as well as mopping and cleaning, was to keep an eye on the community.
“Everyone knew them, they had their own flat and it really helped with community friction. It worked before and I understand the argument about costs but what are the costs incurred when you don’t have a warden and everyone is falling out with each other?
“With a community caretaker who lives in the block, understands the issues and is respected, things are more easily smoothed over. That’s my experience over the many years I’ve worked in this area."
Cllr Parsons added: "Wardens were withdrawn years ago but some older people living in those blocks tell me they feel isolated and anxious to leave their flats. Bringing back wardens would help restore a sense of community and support residents who need a little help with simple tasks through the day."
Bristol City Council has been approached for comment.
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