'We're like battery hens,' says Grandmother in Darlington sheltered community

Audrey Spink, of Roxby Court, Darlington, has raised concerns over Covid restrictions in place at the council-owned sheltered accommodation where she lives.

The 81-year-old says residents are not allowed to mix despite Darlington being subject to the ‘rule of six’ where up six people from different households are allowed to mix indoors.

Ms Spink said: “To tell you the truth I feel suicidal. I’m not going to do it, I don’t want to die, but I’ve had the thoughts. I’m stuck here and it’s not right, I worry for people who are less capable than me.”

Residents are allowed just one person from outside the community in their bubble.

As a result, Ms Spink says some residents have had food shopping passed through their flat windows from family members who cannot go indoors.

Ms Spink’s grandson is in her bubble but he works shifts and lives in Middlesbrough, meaning he is not able to visit often. Despite this, she is not allowed to change her bubble.

While the grandmother is able to go out, she is concerned for others who are less independent or have been shielding, as the “large” communal room at Roxby Court has been closed for months.

She said: “A nurse told me I was okay to go out but there are people in their 90s here who have not been outside for months except to do laundry. We need to be allowed visitors.”

A letter was handed out to residents stating the rules, directing them to the NHS coronavirus website.

“There’s nothing to say this is official or where it comes from,” Ms Spink, who has raised concerns with the site managers, said. “This is a lovely place and there are lovely people here, but I don’t see them anymore.

“I don’t see why we can’t mix with others in the community. Everyone feels stuck. We’re like battery hens.

“People think I’m a trouble maker but I’m not – I just want what’s right.”

Darlington Council, which is owns a range of other sheltered accommodation sites in the borough, could not confirm why groups of six are not allowed to socialise or how often rules are reevaluated.

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, cabinet member for health and housing, said: “The policies were put in place due to the high level of vulnerable residents, many with long term health conditions and many of whom are over the age of 75, who are living in these facilities.

“As a council, we did not put the restrictions in place lightly but we have a duty to protect our most vulnerable residents from the risk of the virus entering the buildings.

“I know that living under these restrictions can be difficult and we are keen to support residents in any way that we can and with their best interests at heart.

“Staff at the facilities are working to engage with residents as much as possible and are offering socially distanced activities, often in the gardens where suitable.

“If any resident needs to talk about their own personal situation we can arrange that, and we will try to do all we can to support them individually.”