Our nearest neighbours
Being this close matters. When a Portswood client needs an extra visit, or something changes and a senior member of the team needs to come and see them, we are not far away. It also means our carers spend their time with clients rather than in traffic.
People think of Portswood as student territory, and parts of it are. But behind the busy high street there are a lot of long-term residents, many of whom have lived in the same streets since the houses were full of families, and who now find themselves living alone.
Victorian streets and the stairs that come with them
Most of Portswood, St Denys and Highfield is Victorian and Edwardian terraced and semi-detached housing. They are lovely houses to live in and tricky ones to grow old in: narrow staircases, bathrooms up a flight of stairs, steps up to the front door, and back yards with uneven paving.
Our carers help people stay safe in those homes. That might be help in the morning and evening on the stairs and in the bathroom, a look at where a grab rail or a second banister would help, and making sure everything used daily is downstairs and within reach.
Close to the hospital, and to us
Southampton General is a short trip across the city, and we regularly support Portswood residents coming home after a stay. We work with the discharge team so care starts when they arrive home.
We also support people with more complex needs here, including dementia, Parkinson's and mental health conditions. Our care plans are written by registered nurses and we work with local GP practices and community teams.
Quiet routines in a busy neighbourhood
Living alongside a university brings its own changes: houses on the street turning into student lets, neighbours who change every September, and more noise late at night. For an older person who used to know everyone on the road, that can feel isolating, and for someone living with dementia, unfamiliar faces and late-night noise can be unsettling.
We work around it. A settled routine with the same carers at the same times, a calm bedtime visit, and a friendly face who knows the history of the street all help. Where it suits, our carers help clients stay in touch with the people and places that still matter: the church, the club, the friend two roads away, the cafe where they always sit in the same seat.
Staying part of the community
Portswood Road has almost everything within a short walk: shops, cafes, the post office and pharmacies. For someone who has stopped going out, a carer who walks with them to the shops or for a coffee can bring back a bit of independence and a lot of confidence.
Questions from Portswood families
Do you cover Highfield and St Denys?
Yes, along with Portswood, Swaythling and the streets around Portswood Road. Call us if you are unsure about your road.
Where is your office?
Room 5, Roxan Business Centre, 142 Lodge Road, Southampton SO14 6QR, a few minutes from Portswood.
Can you support someone with mental health needs in Portswood?
Yes. Our team is led by registered mental health nurses and mental health conditions are part of our CQC registration.