Diamond anniversary for housing gem
The county is fortunate to be home to accommodation provider LACE Housing, which this year celebrates its 60th year of offering affordable housing and support services for older and vulnerable people across Lincolnshire.
VISION OF A PIONEER
The foundations of LACE were laid by Frank Eccleshare OBE, who started a building and contracting company after wartime service as a civilian engineer. His son wrote in his obituary that Frank was haunted by his mother spending her last days in the workhouse and when on visits to elderly city residents he saw many isolated and lonely people; some of whom could not afford to eat.
Frank discussed with his wife how he could help people in this situation and in 1956 was elected as an independent councillor, pioneering ‘joined up’ government in supporting housing for the elderly. He first began by providing services for older people establishing City of Lincoln Care of the Elderly in the 1950’s. LACE was established as a non-profit making Association with charitable status in 1964. Frank went on to be Mayor of Lincoln in 1966 and the County Council social services chair in 1974. He was made a Freeman of the City of Lincoln in 2003.
Nick Chambers, CEO of LACE Housing, has worked in the organisation for more than 30 years. “Frank had a vision of how communities should be providing safe, secure and good quality places for residents to call home. He was a pioneer in this field and we are proud to continue his ethos through our current communities and future developments.”
The first site which Frank Eccleshare developed as sheltered housing replaced a former car showroom on Rasen Lane, Lincoln. This was to become the first of a wide range of Supported Housing schemes located across the county, some of which provide extra care.
The current structure of LACE Housing includes a board of 10 volunteers and 39 members of staff serving more than 400 homes, which will increase to nearly 500 next year on the completion of Diamond Place in Welton.
There is also a group of volunteers, including some residents, who work with the organisation carrying out gardening maintenance and supporting residents with visits and social activities.
“Our head office is just the tip of the iceberg which supports our homes,” said Nick. “We may be a small team but they all do an amazing job, from our in-house maintenance teams to our back room administration staff. We want LACE Housing to be a great place to work as well as a great place to live.”
Each year members of staff raise much needed funds for other charities. “It is our way of supporting other worthy causes.”
Nick completed a 192-mile walk in 10 days in April 2024 and raised over £5,000 for Brain Tumour Support. Tiffany Cooper, a member of the head office team, completed a fundraising skydive. In addition, residents and staff play a vital role in coordinating events to raise money for local causes.
INDEPENDENCE WITH CARE
Currently under construction is a £15million Extra Care Scheme at Hutchings Way, Welton. Diamond Place will include 62 one-bedroom affordable apartments and 10 bungalows, a restaurant as well as a communal lounge facility, mobility scooter store and landscaped gardens.
Frank Eccleshare was himself a keen gardener and included landscaped grounds in his schemes; a valued amenity for residents which continues to this day.
Welton is a popular village for retirees and the safe and secure homes are for those over the age of 55, with a location giving easy access to convenience stores, takeaways, doctor’s surgery and public transport.
LACE Housing works in partnership with agencies including the County Council, District Councils, Homes England and other organisations such as Housing Associations, Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire and St Barnabas Hospice. Together they respond to the needs of local communities, providing the opportunity for older people to regain and retain independent living.
Diamond Place has been created thanks to the support of West Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and the local Parish Council.
There is also a £5.6m grant from the Government’s Homes England as part of its Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme to fund the scheme which is due to be completed and available for occupancy during February 2025.
PARTNERSHIP IS KEY TO SUCCESS
The consistent quality of accommodation created by LACE over the past six decades has built an organisation with a high reputation and trust among the communities in which it operates. LACE Housing manages 22 locations across Greater Lincolnshire, split into categories ranging from Level 1 to Level 4, depending upon the type of accommodation, facilities, support and care provision.
“Older people are seeking accommodation which is well designed, maintained to a high standard and provides communal facilities that prevent isolation and loneliness,” said Nick Chambers. “Locality still remains hugely important, enabling them to remain within their community, continue using familiar amenities and retain their independence to meet friends and family.”
LACE Housing is part of the Lincs Independent Living Partnership (LILP). LILP is a consortium of local charitable organisations, including Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire Housing Partnership and St Barnabas Hospice.
These organisations work together in partnership with the local councils to identify the needs of local communities and promote independent living. This integrated services approach gives residents clear signposting and access to information, support and care when the need arises.
“Our ambition is to provide independence with community connections and these days those connections mean provision of technology too, as over 60% of those visiting our website do so by a mobile device,” added Nick.
HAPPY IN THEIR HOMES
As the percentage of older residents has risen, LACE Housing has responded to the needs of communities across Greater Lincolnshire and the surrounding area.
“The success of LACE in Lincolnshire is as a result of responding to an ever increasing population of older people. There are so many reasons associated to this which brings so much opportunity. Older people continue to have much to give to their local community and the county as a whole and we must embrace this,” said Nick Chambers.
“Advances in medicine and care let people live longer and this is having an impact on the health and care system. There is especially a concentration of elderly people in communities on the east coast. Some may have chosen to move here to enjoy retirement years; others may be ex-Forces personnel who remain in the county.”
Nick can see that this situation will remain for the foreseeable future.
“We encourage people to be proactive rather than reactive to their changing circumstances and enjoy independence in later years.
“We look to the future as an organisation and we hope prospective residents do the same, rather than having to make decisions in a crisis.
“Older people have a range of financial circumstances and we try to respond with the offer of accommodation to purchase on a shared ownership basis as well as at an affordable rent.”
LACE Housing has already been responsible for bringing millions of pounds of investment into the county and housing survey by research firm Acuity brought a response that 93% of residents were very happy with their homes.
Acuity reported back to the board that this was one of the highest levels of satisfaction that they had received within the sector.
LACE currently has a waiting list for homes and try to respond to the changing circumstances of residents as time goes on.
REFRESHED LOGO AND ANNIVERSARY EVENTS MARK 60 YEARS
As part of its Diamond Anniversary celebrations, LACE Housing has refreshed the organisation logo to reflect 21st-century design and the shelter that underpins their ethos.
Staff and volunteers joined board members for a meal at Doddington Hall last month, marking the 60 years of the association. Other significant highlights will be hosting colleagues from similar Housing Associations such as LACE from other parts of the country later this month and the completion of Diamond Place in January 2025.
www.lacehousing.org
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