Elderly residents feel like "prisoners in our homes" after lift goes unrepaired for nearly four weeks

“It’s like being a prisoner in your own home” - the words of elderly residents living on the top floor of Strawberry Court on Tunstall Road after the lift has been out of order for nearly four weeks.

The third floor residents live at the apartment complex which provides accommodation for older and retired people.

The residents, who were aged in their 70s and 80s and have a range of health and mobility issues, said the lift has been broken since March 27.

They also said it’s the fifth time in five months it has been out of action, including a three week period in November when residents with mobility issues were “once again left stranded”.

One of those is 86-year-old Lilian Elliott who has not been out of her flat since the latest breakdown.

She said: “I use a walker when going outside, but I like to go out to the shops and to the communal area downstairs to meet with friends, but I can’t manage the stairs.

“I’ve been stuck in my apartment for nearly four weeks. It’s like being a prisoner in your own own home. I feel very isolated and it’s really getting me down. I can’t even go downstairs to do my washing. I feel like I’ve lost my independence.”

It’s sentiment shared by neighbour and fellow resident Marie Ferguson.

Marie, 72, has been left with mobility issues and can’t use the stairs since having a stroke three years ago.

She said: “I’ve been completely stuck and can’t get out. Since the lift broke, I can’t go to the communal room to meet my friends or to the craft club I go to every Tuesday.

“It’s not acceptable and it’s impacting on my mental health.”

Neighbours Irene and Ralph Ellwood have been able to “continue to get out” but have found it a “lot more difficult” having to use the stairs.

Ralph, 78, who has tracheostomy in his windpipe following surgery, said: “I need to get out but I find I get out of breath and have to rest halfway up the stairs. I can’t understand why it’s taking so long to repair - four weeks is too long.”

Irene, also 78, added: “I’ve had a hip replacement and find the stairs really difficult. Quite a few residents have been left housebound.”

With residents paying “thousands of pounds” towards the service and maintenance of the complex, Lilian’s daughter Joanne Brand has labelled the situation a “disgrace”.

She added: “Four weeks is unacceptable. Residents not being able to leave their homes for nearly a month has had a huge mental and physical impact. At my mother’s age, getting out of her routine of going outside will impact on her ability and confidence to do it.

“As the weeks have gone on my mother is very tearful. This type of accommodation is supposed to promote independent living for older people and the lift being repeatedly broken is doing the opposite.”

Strawberry Court is operated by residential property management company First Port who support the residents with on-call staff.

A spokesperson said: “We understand how challenging lift outages can be, particularly in our retirement communities, and we are working alongside specialist lift contractors to bring the lift back into service as soon as possible.

“During a routine lift inspection last month, a fault was identified. To ensure residents’ safety, the decision was made to take the lift out of service as a precaution.

“While initial plans were made to replace the part, further issues were identified during testing, and it was confirmed that additional parts were required. These are expected to arrive this week, after which the lift will be fully tested and returned to service as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, homeowners are receiving regular updates, and the Development Manager has remained in close contact with residents to provide practical support where requested, including offering assistance with food shopping, refuse disposal and laundry.”

Joanne responded: “This has happened five times in five months and so residents are worried, even once the lift is fixed, it will only be a matter of time before it breaks down again.”