Belmont Court

Who is it for?

As Belmont Court has specialist facilities and enhanced staffing arrangements the scheme has a Local Letting Plan.   21 of the flats are for Couples or Single persons over the age of 60 years who are retired and may for various reasons have a high degree of support needs.  These flats we call 'Very Sheltered'  The other 14 flats are general sheltered housing and are for anyone over the age of 60 years and retired.

Property details

Belmont Court comprises of 35 one-bedroom flats on three floors, and one bungalow in the grounds. The main doors to the building have an automatic opener which enables disabled residents to open the front door without assistance.  Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. The scheme has a concessionary TV licence and many of the flats have had a new kitchen recently.

Belmont Court 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?

Belmont Court is situated in Glen Road Parkstone, there are bus stops within easy walking distance, and a good shopping area in Ashley Road, which boasts a choice of 3 supermarkets, Dr's surgery, chemist, varies banks, takeaways etc.

What is it for?

Belmont Court is staffed 24 hours a day. The Senior Sheltered Housing Officer is available Monday to Friday 8 a.m to 4.pm, supported by a team of 7 Staff who work evenings, weekends, and Nights on a rota system. The main ethos of Belmont Court is to promote independence wherever possible within a very sheltered environment.

Right to occupy

People living at Belmont Court have a Secure Tenancy Agreement which is a legal contract setting out the conditions of a tenancy between themselves and the Borough of Poole.

How to get it?

Anyone wishing to move into Belmont Court 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 's advertised and applicants can 'bid' for the property. All the bids for the very sheltered flats will be looked at by a group off professional people from  PHP, Adult Social Services and Housing Community Services.  The person/s selected by the panel will then be visited in their own home by a member of staff from PHP and Adult Social Services to  assess whether the accommodation will be suitable for their needs.  The bids for the general sheltered flats are nominated in the normal way by Housing & Community Services.

For more information on how to apply or what properties are on offer on Homechoice log onto www.boroughofpoole.com or telephone 01202 633605 or call into the Civic Centre in Poole.

What is provided?

Facilities

There is one lounge in the building that all tenants can use. Currently Poole Day Centre use the Lounge 3 days of the week, but it is available to all Tenants on Monday and Friday and the weekend, and 7 nights a week for evening activities such as quizzes, Bingo etc. It is bright and sunny and overlooks the garden area. There is a hot meal available at lunchtime at a cost of £4.21 per day. In addition a Hairdresser visits weekly, and a Chiropodist every 6 weeks, there is also a Parker Bath available for those residents who are not able to get in and out of an ordinary bath.

From some aspects of the building there are Harbour views, and during the summer months the Fireworks can be seen to light up the Harbour. .

Comments from Tenants living here include the following "Moving to Belmont was the best thing I ever did" "I am so happy here I wish I had done it years ago" "It is a happy place with a great sense of camaraderie between the Residents".

Services

Belmont Court has three main services.

1. A housing related support service provided by the sheltered staff that are in the building 24 hours a day. Staff are on hand to re-assure vulnerable resident and to help people get information, give help with welfare benefits and point people in the right direction for other services. The level of support offered at Belmont Court is very much determined by the resident's needs. . They may prefer to be visited daily, or intercommed every morning and evening by the sheltered Team. The support plan is tailored to meet all the needs of the individual. Sheltered staff do not provide personal care.

2. Every flat has an intercom and pull cords, there are also pull cords around the building. During the evening the community alarm service will answer the calls instead of the staff at Belmont Court . If there is an emergency the staff at the community alarm service will call the on site member of staff to attend.

3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered staff regular inspect the building and grounds and 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 Belmont Court. Residents are issued with copies of the standards to which they are entitled.

Poole Housing Partnership is always keen to make sure that work undertaken is to a high standard.

Relationship with the local community

Belmont Court 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 when social events are held at Belmont Court local people may be invited to attend.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Belmont Court can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. All Tenants are given a handbook that explains what they should do if they are not happy with a service. Complaints are taken seriously. Poole Housing Partnership strives to ensure that such matters are dealt with within a specified timeframe.

Costs to you

Residents who are ineligible for housing benefit are responsible for meeting the rent from their own income.

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 Lynn Colborne (Senior Sheltered Housing Officer) on 01202 736832..