Neighbours living in a retirement home say “humanity has gone out the window” after their warden services were cancelled.

Residents in Furzefield Court, Potters Bar, were left heartbroken when they learnt Hertfordshire County Council could no longer afford to employ a ‘visiting support worker’ to man the block.

Many elderly residents say they will be left “virtually alone”.

The retirement complex, which is managed by Aldwyck Housing, is usually unmanned, except on two days a week when a support worker comes to check on them.

Sheila Ryan, 74, said: “It’s like having a guardian angel. The powers that be have no idea just how much having a warden can change our lives.

“If they take that away from us, we’ll have nobody. When you get to our age, you need someone looking out for you.

“Humanity has gone out the window.”

When 86-year-old Daphne Porter, whose family have moved to Australia, fell in her flat last year, it was the warden who came to her rescue.

Mrs Porter, who has lived in the block for 16 years, has arthritis and stomach problems.

The grandmother said: “I broke my hip and my shoulder but luckily I had help. She called an ambulance and was a familiar face when I was hurt.

“It would really upset me if she wasn’t here.”

Although a warden was originally employed five days a week, her hours were reduced to two days a week two years ago.

Julie Gale, 67, who has arthritis in her knees and a skin ulcer, said: “It’s like having a friend who always looks out for you.

“We have an emotional attachment to our warden. We will quite literally be left with nobody but ourselves, and that will become a very lonely existence.”

Violet Dawes, 82, who also has arthritis, said: “There won’t be anything left for us. She keeps us safe, she makes us feel secure.

“If something was to happen to one of us and we were to fall over, we could end up lying there for ages until someone notices.

“She does so much for us – she helps us fill out forms and will help fix our televisions if they aren’t working.”

Jean Catling, 83, who has lived in the block for 12 years, said: “It’s not right, when we signed our contracts it was under the premise we’d have a warden here.

“We understand it’s going to happen, we know it’s a done deal, but we don’t want to go without a fight.”

Aldwyck Housing group’s executive board has agreed to introduce a ‘supporting housing officer’ who will provide floating housing-related support for vulnerable residents for six months.

It has also pledged to cover the cost for alarm and monitoring systems for up to one year to ease the transition.

In a statement, the group said: “This extended support is to assist our customers through the transitional period between our service ending and the introduction of an alternative source of support.

“The Aldwyck Housing Group deeply regrets that we will not be able provide the supported housing officers service after six months and we will do everything we can to assist people in identifying other sources of support and advice.”

Hertfordshire County Council will use volunteers to support the residents.