Dale Valley
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | People over the age of 60 wanting to rent. |
Property details | Dale Valley has 29 self-contained flats on two floors, 7 Blocks of 4 flats, 2 one-bedroom ground floor and 2 one-bedroom first floor flats in each block. Each block of flats has a front entrance, with a door entry system to each flat that is located within the wall, to the right of the main entrance door. The rear entrance to each block opens into a well-maintained, large en-closed central, communal garden, which has trees and seating areas. There is 1 two-bedroom first floor flat which is located in a separate block above the communal lounge, which has door entry system fitted and private enclosed garden. 6 flats had new kitchens fitted in 2007, 9 flats had new kitchens fitted in 2008 and 4 flats had new kitchens fitted in 2009. 2 flats have kitchens that have been replaced by the tenant. 24 flats had new fitted bathrooms in 2006. 7 flats have level access showers and 6 flats have over bath showers fitted. 5 flats were Re-wired in 2008 and 10 flats have been so far Re-wired in 2009. 11 flats have water meters fitted. The 7 blocks of flats have Solar Panel communal hot water system fitted. Dale Valley 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. All flats are large enough for couples and have 3 medium size cupboards for storage. Dale Valley 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? | Dale Valley is located within a large social housing estate called Oakdale, which is approximately 3 miles away from Poole main town. There is a Post Office/ covenants store within a10- minute walking distance. A Hairdressers, 2 Take-aways, Chemist, Public House, Library and 2 GP'S Surgeries approximately 1 ½ miles 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 in the main communal building 4 to 5 hours per day Monday to Friday. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants. |
Right to occupy | People living in Dale Valley 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 applying to move to Dale Valley has to be on Poole Council Housing Register. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is one communal lounge, which has recently been re-decorated which is located in its own separate building, which tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. Each block of flats has 2 rotary washing lines each that are located at the rear of the blocks. There is parking on the road. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. There is also a mobile library that visits every 4 weeks |
Services | Dale Valley 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 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 sheltered housing staff also use the intercom to call everyone each day to see how they are. 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 Dale Valley 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 | Dale Valley 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 apart from when the Communal Lounge is used as a Polling Station. Social events such as Bingo and social evening are held weekly at Dale Valley. The local community is invited to attend most of the social activities. |
Staffing and expertise | The Sheltered Housing Officer is trained to give housing advice and signpost people to other services which PHP cannot provide.. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Dale Valley can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Dale Valley 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 ....The sheltered Housing Officer – Mrs Kay Element Tel: 01202 743235 or e-mail k.element@poole.gov.uk |
What it feels like to Live at Dale Valley Tenants point of view | I have lived at Dale Valley for almost 18 months now and I am very happy here. I am an active member of the residents committee; I took the position of Treasurer about 7 months ago when our Treasurer died suddenly last year. I feel that Dale Valley is like a big family unit, like all families we have our ups and downs, but on the whole I feel it is a happy scheme. Jan |