Christopher Crescent

Who is it for?

People over the age of 60 wanting to rent. 

Property details

Christopher Crescent consists of 14 one bedroom ground floor flats, 14 one bedroom first floor flats and one two bedroom first floor flat. The 28 one bedroom flats are contained in blocks of four and are accessed by a communal door but each flat has it's own front door making them self-contained. The flats are a reasonable size and are large enough for couples. New bathrooms were installed in 2006 and many of the ground floor flats have  a level access shower, gas central was also installed in 2006 and many properties were rewired during 2007/2008. All properties have the added security of carbon monoxide detectors. The two bedroom flat is housed in a separate building. The gardens are communal but residents can plant borders if they wish. Residents are responsible for their own utility bills including a TV licence. On street parking is available to all.

Christopher Crescent has recently had a brand new intercom system fitted which is much quicker for responding to emergency calls, it also gives the resident the opportunity of wearing the emergency pendant on a wrist strap as opposed to round the neck which seems to be more favourable.

Christopher Cres. is owned by the Borough of Poole and managed by Poole Housing Partnership, (PHP) the Council's Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). PHP manages all the Council's homes and is based in Poole.

Where is it?

Situated in Fleetsbridge approx. 4 miles from Poole town centre. There is a large supermarket and a large retail park within walking distance and a bus service operates frequently between Poole and Christopher Cres. A GP surgery, small parade of shops and a library are approx.1 mile away.

What is it for?

It aims to give people good housing and that little bit of support so they can carry on living independently. A member of staff, whose job title is Sheltered Housing Officer, is available during working hours Monday to Friday. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants.

Right to occupy

People living in Christopher Crescent have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy

Agreements between them and Borough of Poole.

How to get it?

Anyone wishing to apply to rent a flat at Christopher Cres. Sheltered scheme must be over 60 years and on the Borough of Poole Housing Register, even if they already live in Council accommodation. The Borough of Poole operates a Choice-based lettings Scheme called Homechoice: when a flat becomes vacant it is advertised and applicants can "bid" for it. For more information on how to apply or what properties are on offer on Homechoice log onto www.boroughofpoole.com or telephone 01202 633805 or call into the Civic Centre.

What is provided?

Facilities

There is a common room on site where residents can hold social events. Age Concern also hold a "pop-in" on Wednesday afternoons, which, is open to the public as well as residents. The library service visit once a month and leave books for all residents to enjoy, a computer with internet access is also provided. The common room has the advantage of a "Loop" system for people who are hard of hearing and residents can access the common room at any time using their own front door key.

Each block has a communal indoor drying room situated on the first floor with washing lines provided, outdoor rotary driers are also available in 3 communal areas. Most flats have water meters

PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use.

Services

Christopher Crescent has three main services. They are:

1. A support service provided by sheltered housing staff (Sheltered Housing Officer) – this is to help people get information, give help with welfare benefits and point people in the right direction for other services. Sheltered housing staff do not provide personal care.

2. A community alarm service. When sheltered housing staff are not available residents are able to get help by using the community alarm service. Every flat has an intercom and pull cords, residents can chose to have a pendant. If someone uses this equipment the staff at the community alarm service know help is needed and they will send it quickly. On site sheltered staff also use the intercom to call residents or to visit on days that have been arranged with the tenant.

3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered housing staff will contact PHP if any repairs need to be done. PHP will arrange for contractors to come out to do the repairs.

Standards

There are standards covering all of the services that are provided at Christopher Crescent and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect.

PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards.

Relationship with the local community

Christopher Crescent is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The building is not open for regular use by the local community although social events are regularly held at Christopher Cres. and local people might be invited to attend.

Staffing and expertise

The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available e.g. welfare benefits, tenancy support. The SHO has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks in the scheme.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Christopher Crescent can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Christopher Crescent are given a handbook that explains what they should do if they are not happy with a service. Complaints are taken seriously and staff aim to put matters right if possible.

Costs to you

Many people who are on low incomes qualify for Housing Benefit to cover all or some of the rent. Some people also get almost all of their service and support costs met. Our staff can help work out what people would pay before they move.

Communal heating charges will vary from scheme to scheme

Value for money

Our charges compare well with rents and charges for similar housing for older people in Poole.

Want to know more?

Please contact ...Dorothy Dyson , Sheltered Housing Officer.

Telephone: 01202-680366 or 678953 or email d.dyson@poole.gov.uk

Resident's Comments

Since moving to Christopher Crescent I have re-gained my confidence, I know I can summon help whenever I need it from the support I receive. The common room is lovely and I look forward to the social events, I have somewhere to go.