Enter and view: Henry Court, Wyken Court and Leofric Lodge

The report is a Healthwatch Coventry Enter and View summary of Housing with Care schemes at Henry Court, Leofric Lodge, and Wyken Court, managed by Anchor Housing, based on visits conducted in Autumn/Winter 2025. Its purpose is to capture residents’, staff’s, and observers’ experiences of living and working in these schemes, focusing on care, communication, activities, food, the environment, and overall wellbeing.

Healthwatch Coventry spoke directly with 36 residents in total (18 at Henry Court, 9 at Leofric Lodge, and 9 at Wyken Court), made observations on site, and gathered feedback via surveys from residents, staff, and family members. The findings represent a snapshot of views shared on the days of the visits rather than a full assessment of all experiences.

Residents generally reported feeling safe, independent, and at home, and many praised staff for being friendly, respectful, and supportive. Eighty percent of residents said they took part in activities, and most rated these activities as good or excellent. Residents appreciated having choice and freedom and did not feel pressured to participate.

However, some residents felt that care was not always fully personalised, noting that carers did not always ask what they preferred or that they did not consistently see the same staff. A small number raised concerns about standards of cleanliness and hand hygiene.

Communication was viewed positively overall, with 80% of residents saying they received enough information, but others reported inconsistencies in how information was shared or found noticeboards hard to read or access, especially for wheelchair users.

Feedback about food and catering was mixed. Some residents enjoyed the café food, while others felt it was too expensive or lacked cultural variety. Several residents relied on family bringing food instead, and there were calls for more diverse and culturally appropriate meal options.

The buildings and environment were generally viewed as acceptable, but ongoing repairs, scaffolding, faulty lifts, poor TV reception, unclear light switches, and maintenance issues caused frustration. These problems made some residents feel less safe or comfortable and highlighted the need for clearer communication about repairs.

Staff spoke positively about their roles, describing a friendly, supportive team environment and good relationships with residents. However, staff also identified challenges, including understaffing, limited time to build relationships, rota and communication issues, and dealing with challenging behaviour. Café pricing was highlighted as a particular pressure point for staff, who faced complaints without having control over costs.

Observations during the visits showed a busy, welcoming, and sociable atmosphere, with positive interactions between staff, residents, and families. Staff were seen supporting residents respectfully, including those with language needs, although some areas such as tidiness, signage, and safety features needed improvement.

The report concludes that Housing with Care schemes provide valuable support for people who can no longer live fully independently, and that staff generally deliver good care under challenging conditions. Key areas for improvement include clearer communication, better building maintenance, more culturally diverse and affordable food, improved staff support, and more time for relationship-building.

A set of recommendations was made, covering clearer signage and fixtures, improved communication about repairs, more diverse and affordable food, training for managing challenging behaviour, stronger activity provision, and better accessibility of information. Healthwatch Coventry will follow up on progress at three- and six-month intervals.