Service User News
Ability tenants ’snowed in’
January 22, 2010
Ability tenants Sophie Woodham and Lee Hubbucks were featured in a press article about the recent snow affecting Reading after they were unable to leave their home.
Sophie and Lee, from Sundial Close in Reading, appeared in their local paper after being ‘snowed in’ following severe weather in the area. Like many Ability tenants they were unable to leave their homes safely for several days until the snow cleared.
Ability’s Customer Services Director, Rita Nath-Dongre said “we understand that the snow and ice can present particular problems for many of our disabled tenants. Like many organisations, we were unable to get enough grit supplies to keep all of our pavements, parking areas and access roads clear of snow and ice. These were exceptional conditions that lasted far longer than is usual and many of the main roads were not gritted by councils.
“Ability’s policy in these circumstances is to undertake a risk assessment and prioritise actions where a tenant’s health or safety may be at risk. We also try to make sure that our staff are safe and able to make their visits. If that is not possible we will phone tenants who we consider may be vulnerable or at risk to check that they are safe, warm and have food”.