ELDERLY people living in two sheltered housing schemes in Wellington have been told they might lose their homes.

Abbeyfield Society bosses met to break the news to tenants of the charity’s two homes in the town on Thursday (May 18), all of whom are aged 55 years and older.

They told them that a review was being carried out of Abbeyfield homes in the Westcountry with a decision on their futures due in the summer.

Some Wellington staff and residents were left in tears at the thought of losing their jobs and the homes in which many had lived for years.

The Wellington Weekly understands Abbeyfield wants to close 13 of its Westcountry homes and that the society was facing financial pressures, although the charity said the issue was not finance-related, and independent Abbeyfield societies were unaffected.

The charity has been conducting a rolling programme of visiting the homes to tell tenants it was starting a consultation period which will run until the end of July, with staff subject to a 45-day consultation.

Having started in Cornwall, the society has moved up country through Devon and into Somerset, with Wellington one of the latest stops.

The charity runs two homes in Wellington, in The Old Vicarage, High Street, and Ivy House, in Corams Lane.

The Old Vicarage has 30 self-contained flats and Ivy House has 25, where the elderly tenants have their own kitchen and bathroom, and benefit from on-site management, have meals provided, utility bills paid, and share communal leisure spaces.

Many of the Wellington residents were left feeling ‘devastated’ by the news.

One man said: “We are all upset. We have got 45 days but I think they have made their minds up already.

“We do not want to be moving at our age. I do not want to move away from this area. We have made friends here.”

Another tenant, a woman, said: “I have got nowhere to go. They must have known months ago about this.

“I feel for the staff, they were crying. It is not just a job for the staff, they treat us like their family.”

Abbeyfield chief executive Paul Tennant told other media that a decision had not yet been made and the charity would listen to all suggestions during the consultation.

Mr Tennant said: “We are trying to recognise the challenges and be open with people about the discussion and explore opportunities.

“That may be with a whole range of agencies, whether it be the local authority, housing associations, or other stakeholders.”

Abbeyfield Society has been under financial pressure from rising energy costs, inflation, and rapidly increasing operating costs, while at the same time it was facing lower occupancy rates in its homes and an expensive backlog of maintenance work.

The charity’s latest financial results, for the year ending March, 2022, showed a loss of £15.1 million compared to a £1.3 million profit the previous year.

Abbeyfield chairman Jenny Lawrence said in her annual report: “Our ambition to showcase how we support older people and the wellbeing benefits that living with us brings, continues to be an important focus.

“Given the backdrop of sector challenges, increasing loneliness among the older population, the impact of the later retirement age and future financial status, the Abbeyfield offer is as relevant today as it has ever been.”

Abbeyfield was founded more than 60 years ago and on its website states: “Community is at the heart of Abbeyfield, where people come together to share meals, company, and enjoy life.

“Abbeyfield is more than a home, it is a neighbourhood, a community, a family.”

The charity was first brought to Wellington in the 1970s by the late councillor and mayor Gary Cox and it originally owned a property in Wellesley Park, which has since been bought by Wellington School.

The Abbeyfield Society has been asked to comment on the news given to Wellington residents yesterday.

Somerset Council has been asked to comment on any potential support which may be available to help the tenants.