"I can't believe how lucky I am" - Read Alan's Story
91 year old ex-serviceman Alan Martin had been living on a ‘shoestring’ budget and was struggling to maintain his semi-sheltered home in Maidstone. With his health failing and growing concerns from his neighbours, Lindsey Moreno from our Support Services team stepped in to lend a helping hand.
With no close family or friends, Alan’s only companions are his beloved cats Jess and Tibby who are his life, and he would often miss a meal to ensure that they had food and veterinary care.
Being a proud gentleman, Alan was reluctant at first to accept Lindsey’s help, but after a couple of visits she was able to gain his trust and confidence. Lindsey explained: “Alan was so concerned that he would lose his independence and desperate to remain in his own home, but it was clear that he wasn’t looking after himself and was in need of urgent support.”
Setting the wheels in motion, Lindsey referred Alan to Pheonix Community, a local organisation that supports vulnerable people in the community, who now deliver weekly food parcels to his home.
“They were great and have taken Alan under their wing. He is now able to prepare himself regular meals thanks to the food parcels and they invited him along to their local Day Centre where he has been able to meet new people, which has helped Alan feel less socially isolated. They even organised a surprise party to celebrate Alan’s 91st birthday.”
Lindsey has also been working alongside other organisations to help Alan with his benefit entitlements, support with clearing his garden, and a one off house clean, thanks to funding from the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” said Alan. “If I didn’t have the support of Golding Homes and the Pheonix Community, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
We work closely with a range of organisations such as Pheonix Community to ensure that our more vulnerable residents get the help and support they need. For more information about Pheonix Community, please contact Nina Woolard on 01634 326388 or email: ninawoolard2000@yahoo.co.uk.
We featured Alan's story in our latest customer magazine, Home Matters. You can read a copy here.