VIDEO Families of two women with severe disabilities today came together to try to save the home they have lived in for the last 16 years.They are due to be moved out of their home in Waterford Road in Ipswich, but their families fear this could have a serious effect on their welfare.

FAMILIES of two women with severe disabilities today came together to try to save the home they have lived in for the last 16 years.

They are due to be moved out of their home in Waterford Road in Ipswich, but their families fear this could have a serious effect on their welfare.

Wendy Mann, 42, and Tracy Podd, 36, both have severe physical disabilities and also have profound learning difficulties. It is not possible for them to live independent lives without the support of carers.

Their families have been told the bungalow in Waterford Road that they share with a third woman will close at the end of next month - and they will have to move elsewhere.

The women are likely to have to live in separate homes - but the major concern is that they will have to move away from an area where they have been accepted by the community.

Tracy's parents Chris and Viv Podd, of High View Road, said they were appalled.

Mr Podd said: “They have lived there for 16 years and that has been all right. There have been issues, but on the whole they are well settled and it will not be any good to move them now.

“Their neighbours accept them and will help out and they have the carers looking after them.”

Des and Dawn Mann were concerned because they had been warned that Tracy might have to move in with them at their home in Janebrook Road. The couple are already looking after their 48-year-old son who also has disabilities.

Mr Mann said: “I'm nearly 70 and my wife is 66. We only have two bedrooms, one for us and one for our son at the moment. Wendy comes home to visit us, but we don't have room at our home to have her living with us.”

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: “Suffolk County Council wants to find support for each person more exactly suited to their individual needs, so that they can live as independently as possible.

“Until these alternative situations are found for all three people who live there, (outside contractors) United Response will continue to provide support and is working carefully with those affected to ensure a smooth and effective transition to any new situation.

“All three individuals and their families have been kept informed. No-one will be left in any sense homeless, nor would we ask a family to have their relative live with them unless they are in full agreement to do so.

“We are absolutely confident we will agree excellent new situations for everyone.”