downsmail.co.uk
‘No help’ for amother forced fromher home
AHEALTHCARE assistant has hit out at a housing association for “standing by while she has been forced out of her home”. ClaireHiggins (pictured) and her
four-year-old daughter moved back to her parents’ house after re- lations with a neighbour in Maid- stone broke down inMay. But in spite of almost daily re-
ports to Golding Homes about the need for a solution, she is still there. The 34-year-old says Golding
Homes has failed to take seriously the matter, which has been re- ported to the police, leaving her paying £700 a month for a home she can no longer use. Golding Homes left her panic
alarms to assist, but since then, Claire says, nothingmore has been done to get her and her daughter back home. Claire toldDownsMail: “When I
got the keys to my new home it was like a dream come true, my
sanctuary.However, I’ve nowbeen
living back at home since June 7.” As a singlemum,Claire,who has
worked at Maidstone Hospital for 11 years, has now offered to move elsewhere in the town. Claire, who has lost more than a
stone in weight since the unrest began, said: “I’m at the end of my tether. “Rather than being the victim, I feel ignored, while the housing as-
sociation is happy to takemy rent.” HermumSuzanne said: “Every-
one had hoped the situation be- tween these two mums, who were friends, could have been resolved, but it has gotworse. “Claire hasworked hard to bring
up her daughter and to keep a lovely home. She needs a secure home and they need their lives back.” A spokesman for Golding
Homes said the group was aware of the issues betweenMissHiggins and her neighbour. She added: “Thematter has been
investigated and a warning given to the neighbour. Our neighbour- hood advisor continues tomaintain regular contact with Miss Higgins and her neighbour, and has been li- aising closelywith the local PCSO. “We take allegations of antisocial
behaviour very seriously and will continue to take any necessary ac- tion to help resolve this issue so thatMissHiggins can return to her home.”
News Make a friend
MAIDSTONE is invited to talk to someone newonWorld Friendship Day onMonday, July 30. MP Helen Grant says being a
good neighbour could make some- one’sday. She added: “The idea is to get everyone to speak to one person theywould not usually speak to. “World Friendship Day reminds
us how valuable warmth and civil- ity can be, especially toward those whomay be lonely.” The public is also urged to sup-
port the town’s befriending service, run by Age UK Maidstone. It has been forced to close its books until money is raised for an assistant to help dealwith theworkload. To donate, go to
www.totalgiv-
ing.co.uk/mypage/itmatterstonatter.
Art opportunity THE county town’s museum is launching a competition to find emerging talent in theworld of art. Maidstone Young Artist Award
invites entries from 16 to 30-year- olds, offering a prize of £250, and an exhibition in themuseumfor 80 se- lectedworks. The theme is “friends” and the
closingdate isDecember
3.Winners will be announced at a preview evening on February 8. For details go
towww.maidstonemuseum.org.
Our services
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WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CARDS Maidstone August 2018 3
Contact us today 7 Mill Street Maidstone ME15 6XW
01622 753618
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