Children banned from communal areas at Stratford retirement flats
TWO grandmothers have shared their heartbreak at being told their grandchildren are barred from almost all shared spaces in their retirement block.
Bosses at housing association Orbit, which runs Rosalind Court in Stratford, have issued a blanket ban stopping youngsters from setting foot in main communal areas such as the lounge and gardens.
Grandparents and other residents were shocked to receive a letter on 5th June which said: “Due to the level of complaints received regarding children in communal spaces it has been decided with immediate effect that children will not be permitted to use the communal gardens, lounge, library and sky bar areas including the roof terrace.”
Signed by retirement complex manager Katie Huckvale, it explained the decision was based on results from research which many residents say they didn’t even know was taking place and weren’t invited to take part in.
Last week, having faced a backlash from residents, Orbit offered the use of one small ‘activity’ room, which grandparents say is not suitable for several reasons.
But many say this contradicts the brochure for the apartment block in Brunel Way, by the railway station, which clearly states: “All our schemes have shared communal spaces for socialising with family, friends and other residents, including lounges, kitchens and well-maintained gardens.”
Linda Best, who moved into her apartment almost four years ago, has an eight-year-old grandson and a five-year-old granddaughter who visit and stay overnight weekly.
She said: “Before I moved here, I kept asking them if I could have my grandchildren here and could they stay overnight?
“It was ‘yes, yes’ to those questions, so my kids and grandkids have been coming here ever since I’ve been here.
“All of a sudden, they’re saying we’re not allowed to have our grandchildren in the communal spaces.
“The other day I wanted to cry when my granddaughter said: ‘Oh, nanny, I can’t step onto that carpet because we’re not allowed in that area anymore.’
“If Orbit had said four years ago that I couldn’t have my grandchildren here, I wouldn’t have moved in.”
Ms Best, 65, added: “There are people who aren’t supervising their grandchildren but mine are very polite and well-behaved, and I never let them out of my sight.
“Having my grandchildren visit is my joy and they’re a big part of my life.”
Lorraine Storer, whose grandchildren aged ten, six, four, three and two visit her regularly, says the time with them is her happiest.
She said: “It’s wonderful – it lights me up and helps my mental health.
“Before moving in, we asked if we were OK to have grandchildren here and were told ‘yes of course’.
“I’ve lived here for four years and never had a problem before.
“They cried their eyes out when I told them they can’t go in the garden anymore.”
Ms Storer added: “Orbit says the majority of residents don’t want grandchildren here but that’s not true.It’s all very stressful and a lot of us are really upset, including ladies here who don’t have grandkids but look forward to having little ones around.”
Another grandmother, who the Herald is not naming, said she felt “mentally and emotionally ill with all this”.
Robert Vernon, chairman of the Rosalind Court Residents’ Association, said: “I’ve never received so many complaints before. I’ve written to Orbit to express my grave concern regarding this decision. . .based solely on one or two complaints from a tiny minority. The research they’re quoting is questionable and didn’t offer the option for residents to express an opinion that children are welcome at Rosalind Court.
He added: “I urge Orbit to address any nuisance issues on a case-by-case basis through the proper channels, rather than resorting to blanket bans.
“According to their rules, which I have read, pets are allowed in the communal gardens which would suggest dogs have more rights than children under Orbit policy.”
A spokesperson for Orbit said: “Visitors, including children, are always welcome at Rosalind Court.
“As an extra care scheme designed for over-55s with a range of care needs, it is our duty of care to protect the wellbeing of the whole community and ensure that all residents feel safe and comfortable in every area of their home.
“Following concerns raised by customers regarding the behaviour of some children using the communal areas, including being left unsupervised on occasion, we allocated the use of the activity room for residents wishing to entertain visiting children outside of their apartments and restricted the use of other communal areas to enable us to find a solution that accommodated the range of resident viewpoints.”
The spokesperson said an area of garden has also now been made available to children.
