Leader of council visits Salvation Army care home as ‘gap widens’ in adult social care funding

Councillor John Lamb visited The Salvation Army’s Bradbury Care Home on Wednesday (24 October) to hear the charity’s concerns about the rising number of over-75s who cannot afford their own care.

The leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council was invited by The Salvation Army to meet residents and find out how the current, asset-based adult social care funding is leaving older people, without property or savings, unable to pay for care in later life. During the visit, Councillor Lamb was shown around Bradbury Care Home by the home’s manager, Ellie Cant, and Public Affairs Adviser, Beverley Egan.

Councillor Lamb said: “It is well known that sustained cuts to local government funding combined with an ageing population and having to look after more and more vulnerable people are creating funding issues for the national social care and health system. I was therefore very pleased to visit The Salvation Army, and to hear about their great work in the community and their latest campaign.”

Beverley said: “I am pleased Councillor Lamb took time out of his busy schedule to come and listen to our concerns.  At the moment more than a third of our residents’ places are funded by Southend Borough Council because they don’t have the financial resources either through property, income and/or savings to pay for their care. As local councils are really struggling financially there’s always a shortfall in the funding, which The Salvation Army currently pays.

“But the gap in funding between what Southend Borough Council can contribute and the cost of care we provide is widening all the time. It’s just going to get worse as more people live longer but less people are able to own property or have savings to pay for care.  Something needs to be done urgently or charities like us won’t be able to provide for the older people who need our help most.”

Situated on Roots Hall Drive, Southend, Bradbury Care Home has 36 en-suite private rooms, three lounges, a garden and a hairdressing room. A variety of entertainment and activities are offered, including games and quizzes, arts and crafts and performances from local Salvation Army brass bands. 

Bradbury Care Home is one of 13 residential care homes across the United Kingdom that are owned and run by The Salvation Army. All Salvation Army care homes aim to offer compassionate, person-centred care for every resident. Care is enhanced by the support of Salvation Army chaplains, who are available to residents, relatives and friends as well as staff.

In addition to a care home for older people, The Salvation Army in Southend also has churches and community centres on Clarence Street and Southchurch Road.