Building brain wave

Fond memories

A pioneering scheme which furnishes dementia sufferers’ homes with familiar objects from their past is being trialled in north west England. Simon Brandon finds out how the project could assist independent living and cut care costs.

There's no misunderstanding

Council failed Down's syndrome man locked in flat

A council has come under attack from two ombudsmen over the care given to a Down’s syndrome man who was kept in a locked one-bedroom flat after being refused the right to return home from hospital.

Model village

It’s been more than a decade in the making, but eventually Derwenthorpe will be a great example of an energy-efficient community. Jess McCabe finds out why it’s taken so long to build

Call made for providers to have greater role in dementia care

An organisation has called for a greater role for specialist housing providers when dealing with people with dementia as a report says £1 billion could be freed up for community services by reducing hospital beds.

On top of the world

Tower blocks are not typically home to extra care schemes. But Helen Clifton finds out how one arm’s-length management organisation is giving older residents a room with a view

Giving good guidance

How housing association staff are mentoring troubled teenage tenants. Emily Rogers reports

Cold cottage rescue

Isolation from mains gas can spell financial hardship. Alex Turner investigates how Cornish landlords are exploring renewable energy solutions to rural fuel poverty

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

A problem shared

Sharing views on retrofit with a group of landlords across Europe has been invaluable, says Richard Baines