English housing charity, Abbeyfield, has begun consultation on the future of 40 sheltered housing properties and three care homes serving around 480 residents and employing 250 staff following a national review of its services.

The charity told Caring Times is was currently engaged with interested parties and exploring different opportunities and potential solutions following a strategic review of operations.

An Abbeyfield spokesperson said: “As a responsible housing and care provider, we conduct periodic reviews of all of our homes to make sure they remain suitable for residents. 

“We recently completed the latest review of all of our homes as part of making a clear plan for the future of the organisation and each of our homes. These reviews considered how our properties can keep pace with the changing needs, tastes and expectations of older people, the investment required to bring them up to modern standards and whether they are able to meet new regulatory and energy efficiency requirements. We also needed to reflect how the past few difficult years have impacted the organisation’s finances, particularly the impact of the Covid pandemic, the huge increase in energy prices, rising inflation, and rapidly increasing operating costs.”

Abbeyfield House in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, is among the properties included in the consultation.

There are currently 12 residents and six staff at the service.

The spokesperson added: “Having fully considered the findings of this review, it is with regret that we have made the difficult decision to begin consulting on the future of Abbeyfield House in Wendover. Everybody taking part in the consultation process will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas and any proposals they may have before a final decision is made.

“We fully acknowledge the impact that this consultation, and any potential outcomes, will have on our residents and staff in particular, and we will be doing everything we can to support and assist them through this difficult process.”