Peel Close
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | People over the age of 60 years wanting to rent. . |
Property details | Peel Close has 24 self-contained flats on two floors in six blocks and 7 bungalows. All of the flats and bungalows are one bedroom. All 31 one-bedroom flats and bungalows are large enough for couples. The flats are arranged over two floors with stairs to each floor. There are two flats at the top of the stairs and two underneath. There is cable and satellite TV which residents are responsible for. and a concessionary TV licence for those Residents that have lived in their accommodation since 2004. New residents must pay for a full TV licence. Peel Close 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. The bungalows have been fitted with Carbon Monoxide detectors. Most of the flats and bungalows have had new kitchens and bathrooms fitted. Some properties have had wet rooms fitted as opposed to baths depending on suitability of current tenant. Each resident is responsible for their own day to day bills ie, water, gas and electric. Some of the properties have water meters fitted. Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has 4 good size cupboards for storage. Bungalows are a reasonable size and each bungalow has a very large cupboard for storage and houses the electric and gas meters. Two of the blocks of flats have had solar panels installed to provide green energy for heating and hot water. Peel Close 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? | It is close to Ashley Road, which is a large shopping area. The comprehensive High Street shops are a ten-minute level walk away. There are 2 GPs surgeries close by. |
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 either on site or contact by by telephone from the Control Centre if a problem arises, during normal 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 Peel Close have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy Agreements between them and PHP. |
How to get it? | Only people who need housing can apply. People thinking about moving will be asked why they need to move. They have to give their reasons on an application form. 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. They would usually go to the person or couple who need it most of those bidding. The most common reasons for needing to move are:
Anyone interested in wanting to move to Peel Close will need to be on Poole Council Housing Register. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is one lounge in the communal area that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. It is bright and sunny and has been newly refurbished to look comfortable and appealing to tenants who wish to come in. There is a unisex disabled toilet in the foyer of the communal hall. There is also a computer with internet access in the communal hall where lessons can be held for those that wish to learn how to email and use the internet. There are also 8 buggy stores located on the scheme for those people who have mobility scooters. Electric is provided in these buggy stores. There are rotary driers outside each block and the bungalows have their own individual drier. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. There is on road parking which need parking permits if staying for more than 2 hours, there are spaces for approximately 8 cars. The local library at Rossmore delivers books on a monthly basis so that they do not have to be carried too far. |
Services | Peel Close has three main services. They are: 1. A support service provided by sheltered housing staff (the 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, also each flat has a pull cord in the bathroom so that contact can be made if in distress whilst using the bath/shower etc. There are emergency pendants for those that feel that they need the reassurance of having a lifeline with them wherever they are in their home. 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 housing 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 Peel Close 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 | Peel Close 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 Peel Close and local people are invited to attend. Also residents from another sheltered Scheme (Vale Close) join in all of the activities in the resident's lounge. |
Staffing and expertise | The Sheltered Housing Officer is trained to give housing related advice and to signpost tenants to other services that PHP cannot provide. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Peel Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Peel Close is 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, Viv Custard, Sheltered Housing Officer on 01202 740307 or email v.custard@poole.gov.uk |
What it feels like from the user's perspective to live in the scheme | I have lived at Peel Close since the end of 1995. Over this time I have come to feel very secure living here. Safe in the knowledge that there is someone that will ask if I am ok, it is so good to have that "personal touch". My flat is very warm which is very useful as I am able to dry my laundry inside if I cannot manage to take it up and down the stairs. The storage facilities are very good for a flat. I have recently had a new kitchen and bathroom, which makes it pleasurable to live here. It is very beneficial to have the Dr's and shops close by and to also be on flat ground and not to have hills to climb. I live the feeling on Independent living here to be able to do my shopping for myself, but to not be too far from my family if I should need any help from them. Liz |