There was a furious response when the social landlord Riverside confirmed that it would axe its Careline service in Carlisle – but another housing association has now stepped in to provide a replacement service.
Eden Housing Association has confirmed it will extend its existing emergency response service across north Cumbria, taking on around 4,000 Careline clients – most of them elderly.
The new service – provided by the Association’s Eden Independent Living (EIL) team – will be available to all Careline clients. Careline staff still face redundancy.
But the EIL service will create new jobs.
The announcement draws a line under the uncertainty that has hovered over the Careline service since Riverside confirmed its closure, with the loss of 26 jobs.
The decision was part of an effort to plug a £7.5m hole in Riverside finances following government cuts.
EIL said that its emergency response service will be offered to all Careline clients at no extra cost. As with Careline, the service aims to allow people to continue to live independently.
EIL was set up almost four years ago and has grown considerably since then.
Its development manager Kath Hetherington, who has 17 years experience in emergency response work, said “It is good news that we have been able to work so closely with Riverside to set up the change.
“We are also talking to other organisations and agencies to make them aware of the new service which is available from June 1.
“It will be a new and slightly different service but the bottom line is that Careline clients have received an emergency response service for many years and it’s been a good quality service.
“A lot of people were upset when they heard it would go, but we feel that we can fill that gap.
“We’re not being handed Careline. It will be a new team delivering this service from Carlisle.
“It’s exciting to have this opportunity to deliver a service that is clearly needed, and one that we have delivered for a long time in Eden. We’d be very pleased to hear from any Careline staff who are losing their jobs.”
She said EIL has worked closely with Riverside to ensure there will be no interruption to the Careline service. Riverside will run an interim response service until EIL is operational.
Riverside is contacting its Careline customers to explain the change. Carolyn Greenhalgh, assistant director for housing and support at Eden Housing Association, said: “The extended EIL emergency response service will be set up to cover north Cumbria from our existing offices and we will be adapting the model that works so well for us in Eden.
“We will also be employing local staff. “Following finalising discussions with Riverside, we want to take the earliest opportunity to reassure those who are currently receiving the Careline Response Service that there will be a locally based Emergency Response Service they can trust.
“Change is always a worry, even more so for older people.
“We plan to deliver a sustainable service that meets the needs of people living in North Cumbria now, and for the future.”
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Harraby city councillor Lee Sherriff, who chairs Carlisle Labour Party, claimed credit for the new service.
She said: “It is the vigorous and vocal campaign run jointly by the Labour Party, Careline staff, Unite, GMB and the FBU that has prompted Riverside to enter into negotiations with another local provider, rather than just cutting the response service off on March 31 as they originally intended.
“Riverside has listened to us and, after the initial mistakes they made, they have managed to go some way towards redeeming themselves.”
She added that it was wrong that dedicated Careline staff could not be kept on and employed by the new provider.
Anyone who wants to find out more about any of the EIL services available can contact the Eden Independent Living Team on 01768 890657 or visit the website
Supporters of the Careline emergency response service say it has been a vital part of allowing vulnerable elderly people to remain independent.
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