Barbara Hainsworth at the complex: ‘It feels like we’re just waiting for Godot…’

A DISABLED woman who spent Christmas alone says she feels like she has been “left to die” in a retirement home.

Barbara Hainsworth, who lives in Ada Court in Maida Vale, said a series of problems had followed a housing firm merger two years ago including a broken lift that left her stranded in her flat for two weeks.

The 63-year-old said she had to be admitted to hospital after falling unwell because housing operator Central and Cecil Housing Trust (C&C) took so long to fix the broken lift.

She said: “It feels like we’re just waiting for Godot.

“We’ve just been left to die. And I’m not at that age that I’m prepared to do that yet.”

Ms Hainsworth said that problems in Ada Court had worsened following a merger with housing association Aster Group in January 2022.

She said: “There used to be things going on, there used to be coffee mornings, lunch groups, outings, and things like that which no longer take place. We used to have a hairdresser that came on Fridays, all that sort of thing. There was a lovely sort of living room area where people could congregate, and they took all of the furniture out of there.”

Ada Court, Maida Vale

Ms Hainsworth said she spent three weeks in St Mary’s Hospital after suffering a fall, but struggled to speak to anyone at C&C on her return and spent Christmas alone.

The issues go beyond the removal of activities and spaces, she added.

“It’s all a big mess really. The whole place is disgusting, it’s running alive with cockroaches and bedbugs. Little by little they’ve reduced everything that made that place a nice place to live.”

A spokesman for C&C said a bed bug treatment programme was leading to improvements in the block and that a range of activities including zumba, singing groups, activities and trips off-site were on offer.

“We’re sorry for the recent issue with our service lift and understand Ms Hainsworth’s concerns.

“The welfare of our customers is extremely important to us, and our team is available on site every day at Ada Court.

“Customers can also get in touch in several ways, including calling the office number, their emergency call lines which are fitted inside each home or by emailing the team.”

“While the lift in question was not working, three other passenger lifts were available that are large enough for our customer to access with their mobility scooter and a member of staff helped her to use them when she asked for help.

“All four lifts at Ada Court are now fully operational.”