These Things

"These Things" was written following a research project, commissioned by the Addiction Recovery Agency and St Monica Trust, that sought to understand the experiences of residents and support staff of a local authority "elderly preferred" housing scheme. The residents, aged 50 and over, comprised a diverse range of nationalities who had come to the housing scheme through varied and often complex life events. The support staff, a small group of carers and mobile wardens, were charged with the responsibility of meeting residents’ needs and maintaining the building. The research took place in the wake of a major recession and unprecedented cuts to services. The future of the housing scheme – along with the homes of the residents and livelihoods of the support staff – remains uncertain.