Nehemiah UCHA is a progressive housing association serving the African Caribbean, Asian, Irish and European communities. The Association provides homes for single people, families, couples and elderly people in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Henry Court based in Dudley provides 38 permanent one and two bed apartments. All have level access showers which are great for people who have recently been discharged from hospital or have mobility problems. Henry Court specialises in meeting the multi-cultural needs of its residents and provides a good choice of African Caribbean food. Lots of fun social activities are offered to residents and the wider community to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing. Some of these activities include:

• A befriending service (run 2 days a week)
• A luncheon club (run 4 days per week)
• ESOL classes
• Prayer meetings
• Arts and crafts sessions

Enabling residents to manage their own wellbeing

Henry Court supports residents to set up and run their own activities. Currently, residents organise bingo, dominos (a great favourite with African Caribbean men) and coffee mornings. Residents also run their own shop at Henry Court selling home cooked Asian food. Initial support was provided by Nehemiah with insurance and food hygiene training.

“They wanted to do something for themselves and had a diverse range of retail work experience. The shop has been a huge success and is now open Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm. Residents cook the food themselves, go to the wholesalers, promote their shop and manage all the finances. Profits are re-invested into the shop. Enabling people to run their own activities is vital in developing self-worth and providing residents with choice and independence”. 

 Lucy Hales (Director of Housing and Care Services)

Easing the pressure on medical services

Staff at Henry Court ensure they maintain strong relationships with a range of health clinicians to ensure residents stay out of hospital where possible, and avoid inappropriate medical call outs. Staff at Henry Court act as brokers and a vital link between residents and clinicians.

•  Staff have links with Castle Court so any changes to resident’s mental health can be reported to Community Psychiatric Nurses quickly and acted upon.
• District nurses are contacted directly to request home visits when support is needed.
• Staff have links with local GPs at St James Medical Practice and Stepping Stones Medical Practice to seek advice when required and request home visits. This helps prevent unnecessary GP call outs.
• Staff have links with their local pharmacy to request and arrange delivery of medication on behalf of residents. Staff often request medicines in blister packs to help residents take the right medication at the right time.
• Regular chiropodist visits are held at Henry Court. This helps reduce the likelihood of falls which could lead to more complex and costly interventions.
• The Virtual Ward operates at Henry Court for a resident with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), helping him to live at home and minimise his hospital stays.
• Working jointly with Bushy Fields Crisis Team has resulted in residents remaining at Henry Court by providing psychiatric team visits up to 3 times a day when needed. This avoids the need for more costly interventions such as mental health residential care, saves money and prevents A&E admissions.

For more information about Nehemiah call 0121 358 8030. Website: http://www.nehemiah-ucha.co.uk.