Independent Living accommodation

Independent Living accommodation is self-contained accommodation that has been designed primarily to help people aged 55 and over live independently. 
Residents in our schemes have access to an Independent Living Officer who can help them find any extra support needed to sustain their tenancy and carry on living in their home for as long as possible.
There are various schemes across Sutton, Carshalton and Wallington with a number of health and wellbeing activities available throughout the year such as:
  • Coffee Morning and Independent Living Surgery
  • Day trips
  • MacMillan Coffee Morning
  • Quizzes 
  • Parties

Important update: Your digital update is coming

BT is turning off all analog phone lines, so you'll need to upgrade your warden call systems. If you don't, your systems won't work once the lines are switched off.

BT has said analog service is no longer efficient because it's so old. Replacement parts are hard to find, and the system often fails. BT's deadline is the end of 2025 or early 2026 for all customers to switch to fully digital telephone services.

How it affects you

Your home phones, warden call system, and smoke alarms all run on an analog telephone line and must be upgraded.

SHP is working with Medequip UK to deliver the Access Assured Hub. Over the next few months, SHP will need to upgrade your warden call systems and smoke alarms to make them ready for the digital switch.

We surveyed all residents in April 2022 to find out what you'd like to see in your homes. One of the top requests was to have the new warden call unit installed on the wall where your current alarm system is. We'll do our best to make this happen, but please know it might not be possible in every case. To help with this, Medequip has created a special wall-mounted warden call hub just for SHP residents.
In July 2023, we wrote to all residents to let you know that we had chosen Medequip PLC to manage the digital switch for SHP and its Independent Living Homes.

Roll out of all services to Independent living homes 

We are excited to announce the full rollout of the new service to all Independent Living homes. We will begin in Sutton on 22 September 2025, at Collingwood Road, and work our way through all other locations as quickly as possible. We aim to complete all installations by the end of February 2026.

What are residents receiving?

  • Smart Hub: A central unit that connects you to the warden call service 24 hours a day.
  • Smart Plugs: Two plugs to monitor activity like kettle use and TV watching.
  • Motion Sensors: Two sensors in your bathroom and bedroom to detect falls.
  • Door Sensor: A sensor for your main door.
  • Smoke Alarm Connection: The hub will be connected to your home and communal smoke alarms.
  • 24-Hour Response: A round-the-clock warden response and monitoring service via a secure mobile connection.
  • Residents can also have a wearable panic button via either a watch or pendant but only if required.

All properties must have full installation of this hardware

This new system is a permanent fixture and will be installed in every home, including those who don't currently receive calls from us. This ensures that every resident can switch on the service later if they choose. While the installation cannot be refused, we will respect your decision if you do not want your service to be monitored.

Installation programme carried out by DIACK LTD

The service will be rolled out one scheme at a time. We'll contact you well in advance to arrange an appointment with our Medequip contractors,  DIACK LTD. They will work with you to find a convenient time that causes as little disruption as possible.

Costs to residents 

We're pleased to let you know that your weekly Independent Living charges will not change because of this upgrade. We've been able to fund this project using capital funding, which is why we need to install the new service in every home. We trust you will allow our contractors access for the installation.

Would you like to know more?

If you have any questions about the service or installation, please talk to your Independent Living Officer. They can arrange for a call or visit from a Medequip representative. You can also visit the Medequip Shop at Civic Offices, Unit 1, Lower Ground, St Nicholas Way. Their friendly staff would be happy to give you a demonstration and show you how this technology can help you live independently.

This new technology is the latest on the market and has features that will further improve the independence of all residents. We look forward to you benefiting from these services. All our other services will continue to operate as usual.