Grant helps to secure homes of vulnerable older people

A £5,000 grant from the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Action Fund is helping vulnerable older people to live safely in their own homes.

The grant was made to Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS), a not for profit organisation which provides a range of services to help older and vulnerable people stay happy, healthy, and independent at home. The money will subsidise the cost of installing 100 police accredited keysafes in the homes of vulnerable people in Hertfordshire.

Keysafes provide an effective way of securely locking a spare key, accessible via a personal code which can be given to trusted parties, thereby empowering people to take control of who is allowed access to their homes.

HILS CEO, Sarah Wren commented; “We are very grateful to Hertfordshire Community Foundation and the Police and Crime Commissioner for providing this grant funding for keysafes. As a community-based service provider with teams who visit people in their homes, we know first-hand how vital it can be to access clients’ properties via a key safe, in particular for anyone suffering from reduced mobility, or living with health conditions such as dementia, which could prevent them from answering the door safely. Our meals on wheels teams regularly find people who have fallen and been unable to get up; with key safes, we can access the property and make the client comfortable while we call their next-of-kin or the emergency services. However, we really want to avoid people leaving their door unlocked, or hiding the key somewhere which can easily be accessed by criminals, simply because they are afraid that they will not receive help if they need it. Keysafes are an effective way to keep out uninvited guests, while letting helpers’ in.”

Helen Gray, Foundation Director for Hertfordshire Community Foundation commented; “Sadly older people are disproportionately targeted by criminals. This grant enables a simple but effective solution that protects vulnerable people and improves feelings of safety and happiness. We are pleased that Hertfordshire Community Foundation was able to facilitate this grant which reflects our aims to strengthen our county’s local communities and improve the lives of vulnerable people.