Pensioner To Star In Sheltered Housing Campaign

A Devon pensioner who is hoping to represent Britain in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing is to front a new campaign promoting sheltered housing as an important option for elderly people.

David Wrighton, 69, who lives in sheltered housing in Torquay, is a qualified blind sailing instructor and will tell of his ambition to compete in the Games as part of a national campaign called “I Lead a Sheltered Life”.

The campaign, run by ERoSH (Essential Role of Sheltered Housing), the national consortium for sheltered housing, highlights the urgent need to find suitable accommodation for future generations of older people as the British population ages.

Research conducted by the organisation reveals that 1.5 million elderly people could be left without adequate accommodation by 2020 if the housing shortage in Britain is not addressed.

The survey of 1,000 people nationwide also showed two thirds would choose sheltered accommodation over any other form of housing when they grow old, because they think it will offer them security, support and independence.

Michele Hollywood, chair of ERoSH, said: “This is our first campaign where all our efforts have been focussed on the real people who benefit from this diverse form of housing.

“Many people are confused about sheltered housing and mix it up with residential care. It is something very different as our case studies show. It opens up new avenues in life and ERoSH aims to ensure that it exists as an option both for existing and new generations of older people.”

In association with its members, ERoSH has also produced a guide to sheltered housing, aimed at helping people decide whether it is the right option for them.

A free phone number and dedicated website have also been set up to offer guidance and to help people find local sheltered housing providers.