VULNERABLE residents at a sheltered housing complex in Brixham fear they could lose vital care staff if Torbay Council cuts its funding.

The authority's Supporting People service pays for two scheme managers at Combe Bank Sheltered Housing in Lindthorpe Road.

The complex is run by the Raglan Housing Association, which provides valuable help and support to the 70 mostly elderly residents.

But the scheme has fallen foul of budget cuts and is under review.

Combe Bank resident Christine Testa, a carer for her husband Tony and secretary of the Combe Bank Community Group, said: "Some of the residents live here because they need daily support for everyday living.

"The scheme managers help sort out benefits, they contact hospitals to make appointments for residents who do not understand how to book them, contact various services if they have any concerns about a resident — all sorts of things an able-minded and bodied person takes for granted.

"We have residents here with varying degrees of vulnerability and they need a daily visit by the scheme manager.

"If floating support was introduced then it could be that we would only receive one or two visits per week.

"Combe Bank is a warm and friendly place to live and has a real community feel about it.

"We feel all this would be lost if floating support was introduced and some residents could find themselves in residential care, which would cost Torbay Council a lot more."

Pensioner Olive Thomas, 82, recently suffered a heart attack and says she could not manage without the scheme managers' support.

"I don't want them to go," she said.

"They come to see me every morning and they would do anything for us.

"I've only got my pension but I would rather pay a bit more money than lose them."

Mary Langworthy, 62, who suffers from several debilitating illnesses including pressure on the brain, arthritis and polyneuralgia, says the managers offer peace of mind.

She said: "They sort out any problems I've got. I can't fill out forms very well and they help me with that and they helped me with transport to a hospital in London.

"Sometimes I have to call the doctor or an ambulance and they come and sit with me while I'm waiting so that I'm not on my own.

"They are so helpful, if you've got any problems with your electricity, the TV or if a light bulb goes they sort it out.

"I have no worries living here, their help is a weight off my mind.

"I do rely on the scheme managers, I know I couldn't manage on my own very well and my illnesses are bound to get worse as I get older as there are no cures for them."

A council spokesman said Torbay mayor Nick Bye and a Supporting People officer recently visited the residents and will work closely with them, and Raglan Housing Association, to 'develop options for the future which ensure residents who need support continue to receive it from someone of their choice'.

He said: "We recognise the value of the support provided by the staff at Combe Bank and in other sheltered housing schemes in supporting people to remain independent and avoiding admission to residential and nursing care.

"Torbay Council, along with most other authorities in the country, is reviewing the support we provide to enable older people to remain independent in their own homes to make sure all older people who need support can receive it irrespective of where they live.

"At the moment those in sheltered accommodation receive support while those living in their own homes or private rented properties do not always have access to the same support."