People who rely on Swindon Borough Council’s community alarm system, along with their families, are being invited to have their say on how the service should operate in the years ahead.
The Homeline telecare service supports residents to live independently for longer by using pendant alarms and other technology, offering reassurance and assistance when it is needed. It is currently provided to all council tenants living in sheltered or supported accommodation as part of their tenancy.
However, the Council says feedback from some tenants suggests there is a feeling the service should be optional, with residents only paying for it if they choose to use it. In response, a consultation has been launched to gather views from Homeline users, council tenants, families and other interested parties.
The consultation will help shape decisions about how the service could be delivered in future and whether it remains financially viable in its current form. Tenants are being asked in particular whether they feel Homeline should continue as a mandatory part of their tenancy.
Several possible options are being explored. These include a council-run telephone support service without an in-person response, a mixed model involving external providers delivering some or all elements of the service, or ending the Homeline service altogether.
Swindon Borough Council says the review forms part of its wider commitment to involving residents in decision-making and ensuring services reflect local needs, as set out in its Fairer Swindon mission and Working Together Plan for Adult Services.
Councillor Janine Howarth, Cabinet Member for Housing, said the feedback would play a key role in shaping next steps.
“Homeline has supported Swindon residents for many years, but it’s clear from what we’ve been told that it doesn’t meet everyone’s needs,” she said. “We want to understand what people value, what they feel could work better and what they would be willing to pay for.
“This consultation gives people who use the service, and their families, a real chance to influence what Homeline looks like in the future. It’s important we hear from as many voices as possible.”
The consultation is open until 27 February. Findings will be reviewed by the Council’s Cabinet in June.
