Derek Orchard House
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | Couples or single people over the age of 60 wanting to rent. |
Property details | Derek Orchard House has 20 self-contained flats on two floors in five blocks and 23 bungalows. All 20 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. Most of the properties have new kitchens, bathrooms, re-wires and heating installed over the last 2 years. Most of the properties have a water meter Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. Derek Orchard House 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? | Derek Orchard House scheme is spread out over four different roads,at the entrance to the Turlin Moor area of Hamworthy. The roads are Goathorn Close, Junction Road, Turlin Road and Keysworth road. The village of Hamworthy, which is approximately 3 miles from the town of Poole and walking distance from the beach. The local shops are within 10 minutes walk. There is one Doctors' surgery within about a mile. The bus stop is about 250 yards from the scheme. Bus route is into Poole town. |
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 ion site or nearby 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 Derek Orchard House 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 apply to rent a property at Derek Orchard House 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 the property. 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 in Poole.. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is a communal lounge in Derek Orchard House that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. There is a loop system in the communal lounge, which is regularly used for meetings and bingo games. Other communal facilities include; guest bedroom (2 single beds), kitchen, ladies and gents toilets, PC in communal lounge with internet access, Loop system fitted fir those with hearing problems, patio with garden furniture, rotary dryers, new kitchens, new bathrooms, new gas central heating. Most flats are on water meters. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. There is also a mobile library that visits the scheme every 4 weeks. |
Services | Derek Orchard House has three main services. They are: 1. A housing support service provided by the sheltered 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 staff do not provide personal care.. 2. A community alarm service. When support members of staff are not available residents are able to get help by using the community alarm service. Every flat has an intercom and pull cords and there are also pull cords around the building. If someone uses this equipment the staff at the community alarm service know help is needed and they will send it quickly. On site support 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 staff inspects the grounds and scheme regularly 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 Derek Orchard House and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect. (See sheltered housing service standards in the directory) PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards. |
Relationship with the local community | Derek Orchard House is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. Social events are held regularly at Derek Orchard House and the local people are 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 Derek Orchard House can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Derek Orchard House 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 | Rent £57.19...per week (this may vary sightly from flat to flat)... Service charge £6.26...per week (for the extra facilities and services provided on sheltered schemes) Support charge £7.68-...per week (for the housing related support provided by the SHO and Control Centre)... Total charge £71.13 per week (over a 48 week per year) 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. |
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 Chris Foster (Sheltered Housing Officer at Derek Orchard House or Lake Avenue) on 01202 675969 or 627109 or email c.foster@poole.gov.uk |