ELDERLY residents worried at what they claim is a gradual downgrading of their very sheltered communal home, voiced their concerns to a visiting bishop.

The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev David Walker, took the opportunity to call at Crabtree Court in Sidemoor while on a day-long visit to Bromsgrove.

It followed our recent page one story when we told how elderly, frail residents claim services there are being eroded and wardens' hours cut.

The court was originally designed to allow old people, with support, the chance to lead independent lives.

Now they fear changes to the way the home is run will affect them – including heightening their fear about security and the loss of social activities now wardens finish at 5pm and 2pm at weekends.

Originally wardens were on duty round the clock but since 2006 their shifts ended at 10pm.

The Bishop is responsible for the pastoral care in the Bromsgrove district and was accompanied on his visit last week by the Rev Andrew Stand, assistant curate at St John's church.

A group of residents aired their views to the Bishop who showed a keen interest in what they had to say and asked a number of questions.

Later he told the Advertiser/Messenger: “I am worried that what was once a thriving community no longer has that level of support to enable people to live a full a life as possible."

Defending their policy Mike Brown, boss at BDHT, said: “We’re sitting on a demographic timebomb, and we need to act now. For this reason, to ensure vulnerable residents get the services and accommodation they need, we need to take some tough decisions.

“More than 60 per cent of our residents are of retirement age or over. They live in houses, flats and bungalows across the district, as well as communal schemes. We understand this represents change and change is difficult, but I am fully satisfied that the high-quality services on offer for our customers at Crabtree Court fully meet their essential needs. Importantly, the changes mean lots more elderly and vulnerable people will benefit as well.

“We have a long-term commitment to delivering first-class services for the benefit of all. We’re not in the business of profiteering or cutting costs. We have strong values centred on fairness, honesty and a caring attitude.

“We continue to meet and consult with residents to keep them informed and allow them to understand our motivation for the change - which is simply to ensure all older residents have equal access to service.”