Support

The Gateshead Housing Company and Gateshead Council can provide support to our customers in various ways.

The Housing Services section of Gateshead Council offers support to tenants of Gateshead Council who are vulnerable people in the community and that need help to live successfully in their homes.

More information on Housing Support

The Social Care Services section of Community Based Services of Gateshead Council includes personal care services for older people, children and families, people with Disabilities and Asylum Seekers.

More information on Social Care Services

The Gateshead Housing Company is committed to complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). This sets out a number of requirements for companies to meet the needs of all their customers. WE currently provide support to assist customers with diverse needs to access our services, and we are committed to improving access to to all of our services.

Some of the support mechanisms we have in place include:

• Language Line
• Interpreting and Translation Services
• Audio Tape
• Documents can be produced in large print and Braille
• Loop systems
• Same sex interviews
• Home visits.

The Gateshead Housing Company is currently working towards maximising access to all or our premises to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995)

AIRS (Access to Information and Reading Services) is part of Gateshead Council's library service. They offer a free regular talking newspaper service as well as a range of transcription services and accessible library services. The Gateshead Housing Company uses AIRS' comprehensive transcription service, which includes the conversion of text to Braille, large print and audio tape to provide information to residents on request. Any tenant or leaseholder wanting Braille, large print and audio tape information about the company should contact your nearest housing office, who will arrange for it to be posted directly to them via AIRS.

Help with adaptations to the home and aids are available for people who have a disability, which causes them to be permanently and substantially disabled. Anyone seeking help should contact their nearest housing office.

Gateshead Council's Care Call enables older, disabled and vulnerable tenants to live safely and independently in their own home. Care Call provides emergency cover to more than 10,500 residents 24 hours a day 365 days a year from trained staff who can respond to a variety of situations. The service also provides access to all of Gateshead Council's out of hours' services through one seamless service. Residents wear a pendant or wristband which when pressed, triggers a phone alarm system that connects you directly to Gateshead Care Call. In the event of a fall or sudden illness, trained operators immediately know your name, address and other relevant information. They will then call for any help required such as a family member, a doctor, emergency services or the police. If you would like more information or a free demonstration in your home, please contact Gateshead Care Call on 0191 478 7665.

Gateshead Council's Domestic Violence Housing and Support Service provides support to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence. There are currently three safe houses and a floating support service that offers support to eight people. The safe houses are available to women as an alternative to a refuge into their own tenancy. The floating support service is available to women who are tenants of homes managed by The Gateshead Housing Company. There are two full time workers who provide one to one support around issues facing women and their children. This includes helping them to establish and maintain their tenancy and linking in to specialist agencies to meet their needs.

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