Published: 19 October 2026
It's Supported Housing Week and we're proud to celebrate the work of our Independent Living Service. Our team work every day to help our customers and the wider community access support, equipment, and services that others may take for granted.
The RBH Independent Living Service manages our Independent Living Schemes, which are ideal for older people who can manage in their own home, but may need a little extra support to help them stay independent. Our Independent Living Service customers have their own private flat or bungalow, with a communal lounge, laundry, and garden for them to use if they wish to do so, and a range of activities for people to join in and feel less isolated. The schemes are not care homes - they are people's homes within communities.
The Service also manage our Extra Care Scheme, Hare Hill in Littleborough, in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council.
We know our team is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure customers get the help they need. Whether that's sourcing equipment to help someone remain independent, supporting access to benefits and services, arranging referrals, arranging transport so tenants can attend appointments, or simply being there to listen and offer reassurance, they are constantly breaking down barriers that could otherwise leave people feeling isolated and unsupported.
Our team don't just look at any issue in isolation, but at our customers as people wholly and individually. They work hard to find practical solutions that make a genuine difference to people's everyday lives. They advocate for tenants, build strong partnerships with other agencies and continue to support people even when the challenges are complex.
I am incredibly proud to be part of this team and to see first-hand the dedication, compassion and determination they show every single day. The support they provide often goes unnoticed, but it makes a huge difference to the lives of the people we work with. They are a team that consistently puts tenants first and makes a positive difference every day.
Some examples of the impact that our team has had on our customers:
The team work closely to support customers who return home following a stay in hospital. They co-ordinate with health professionals, Rochdale Borough Council, and other RBH Teams to ensure that the correct equipment and adaptations are in place. This helps to prevent delays in being discharged from hospital and reduces the risk of future hospital admissions.
The team also work with older customers whose mobility has started to reduce. This could include arranging assessments, liaising with occupational therapy, and co-ordinating adaptations and access arrangements. This enables customers to remain living safely in their own homes for longer.
Our team worked with one customer who was experiencing financial difficulties despite previously managing their tenancy successfully. They worked closely with the Council, our own RBH Money Matters team, and the customer's own support network to help to address the situation. As a result of this early intervention, our customer's quality of life has improved significantly, they are now claiming the benefits and support that they are entitled to claim, and the issues that caused the initial difficulties have been addressed.
Our team also supported a customer who had experienced significant physical and mental health difficulties as a result of a previous injury. By co-ordinating support alongside the customer's GP and other professionals, our team were able to see a significant improvement in the wellbeing and mental health of our customer, who has gone from multiple hospital attendances to managing their life much more independently - they have regained their stability and confidence.
