The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research evaluated the FirstStop service information and advice service for older people for six years between 2009 and 2015.
FirstStop is an independent, free service offering advice and information to older people, their families and carers about housing and care options in later life. It is led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) in partnership with other national and local organisations and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). FirstStop delivers information and advice through a national telephone helpline and website. FirstStop has also seed-funded a number of local information and advice services which aim to raise the profile of housing options for older people in their area and to provide a face to face case work service to older people.
Improving housing outcomes: the value of advice and support for vulnerable older people
Improving housing outcomes: the value of advice and support for vulnerable older people (Burgess, G. and Morrison, N., 2015) has been published by the Journal of Housing and the Built Environment.
FirstStop local partners: costs and potential savings to public budgets of client casework 2014
The aim of this research was to report on the costs and benefits of a sample of cases dealt with by the FirstStop local partners providing housing options services to older people. It focuses on the intense level three casework data provided by the local partners.
FirstStop Evaluation: Report on progress of the funded local partners 2013/14
This report explores the progress of the local housing options services which are currently funded by FirstStop. The research suggests the local projects have empowered older people to make informed decisions, have given them full knowledge of all the options available and have supported them in appraising these options effectively.
Making informed decisions on housing options: the value of advice and support for older people
Making informed decisions on housing options: the value of advice and support for older people – paper presented at the ENHR Conference in Tarragona by Dr Gemma Burgess and Dr Nicky Morrison.
Analysis of FirstStop local partner client case studies: Did clients benefit long term from the housing options support they received?
FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service offering advice and information for older people, their families and carers about housing and care options in later life funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It is led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) working in partnership with other national and local organisations.
Evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice initiative for older people: findings 2011/2012
A comprehensive information and advice service enabling older people to better plan ahead for their future housing and care needs is a key requirement if Britain is to cope successfully with its ageing society. The evaluation of FirstStop shows how it is helping older people to make difficult decisions about their housing and care.
Evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice service for older people, their families and carers
FirstStop is an initiative intended to explore ways and means of expanding the accessibility and reach of good quality information and advice (I&A) for older people, their families and carers around housing and care issues. Its value framework is about empowering older people to make informed decisions in the full knowledge of the options available to them and with support to appraise these options for themselves.
Evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice service for older people, their families and carers - summary report
A summary of the evaluation to 2012 was published, showing the continued success of the service. It was included as an insert in the 26th April issue of The House parliamentary magazine which is sent to all MPs and Peers.
Evaluation of FirstStop: Phase 2 Reports
The reports present the findings from an ongoing evaluation by the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, which is analysing and informing the development of the FirstStop service. The new initiative aims to provide older people, their families and carers with a one-stop shop for advice on issues like home improvements and care. Users can call on a freephone number, or visit a website, to obtain independent, impartial information and advice on housing, care options, their rights and financial support. FirstStop also provides face to face advice and assistance locally e.g. helping older people to move to a more suitable home.
Presentation of FirstStop evaluation research findings
Dr Gemma Burgess presented findings from the evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice service for older people at a series of conferences organised by Care & Repair. The conferences, ‘In our own hands: Improving information and advice for later life decision making’ were attended by policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholder and were an opportunity to share knowledge and to discuss emerging policy agendas. The evaluation presentation can be downloaded below. For more information please contact Dr Burgess at glb36@cam.ac.uk.
FirstStop Evaluation Phase 1 Report
This research project is evaluating the FirstStop information and advice service for older people, their families and carers that is funded partly by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Big Lottery Fund (BLF).
FirstStop evaluation ‘moving on’
FirstStop Advice is a service providing information and advice about care and housing options in later life for older people, their families and carers. The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at the University of Cambridge is undertaking an independent evaluation of the FirstStop service. This short report discusses some of the emerging findings from the evaluation about older people moving home.
