Millfield

Who is it for?

Couples or single people over the age of 60 wanting to rent.

Property details

Millfield has 36 self-contained flats on two floors in five blocks. All 36 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. There is satellite TV on site..

Most of the properties have has new kitchens, bathrooms, re-wires and heating installed over the last 2-3 years. Most of the properties have a water meter

Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage.

Millfield 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?

Millfield is in the village of Creekmoor, which is approximately 3 miles from the town of Poole. The village shops are placed within 5 minute walk. There are two Doctors' surgeries within walking distance. The bus stop is just a few yards from the scheme. Bus routes include Poole town, Broadstone, Merley and other neighbouring areas.

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 on 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 Millfield 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 flat at Millfield 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 in Poole..

What is provided?

Facilities

There is a communal lounge in Millfield 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: Buggy store with electricity, guest bedroom (2 single beds), kitchen, ladies and gents toilets, PC in communal lounge with internet access, Loop system fitted for those with hearing problems, patio with garden furniture and a raised flower bed, digital TV aerial upgrade, car park, rotary dryers, new kitchens, new bathrooms, new gas central heating. Most flats are on water meters. Tunstall Telecom has installed new speech system in flats with new smoke and heat detectors.

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

Millfield 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 sheltered 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 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. Support 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 Millfield 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

Millfield is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The Creekmoor Community Group uses the communal Lounge for meetings. Safer Neighbourhood Team Public meetings are also held periodically in the communal lounge. Social events are held regularly at Millfield and the local people are invited to attend.

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 Millfield can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Millfield 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.

Value for money

Communal heating charges will vary from scheme to scheme.

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

Want to know more?

Please contact Maria Read (Sheltered Housing Officer at Millfield & Selkirk Close) on 01202 698160 or 88 88 83.

or email m.read@poole.gov.uk

What it feels like from the user's perspective to live on the scheme

"Living in Millfield is going to be great. Having only been moved in for a few days I have not yet had time to make a real assessment, but I have lived just across the road for nearly 10 years and have been connected with the residents and the site in one way or another for all that time. I know so may of the people and have always found them a friendly and helpful crowd. Since I moved in everyone has been very welcoming, and I cannot speak highly enough of the Sheltered Housing Officer, apart from having a friendly and welcoming personality always assists in any way possible.

The site is beautifully kept with lovely flowers and lawns, nice benches on which to sit whenever the weather allows and so much peace it is almost heaven to me. The Community Room is a very smart one and well kept, I have attended many functions there so that is also a part with which I am familiar.

I was invited to the Residents Association AGM, which was interesting to a 'new girl' as it was very well conducted and allowed the residents to put forward their suggestions and complaints.

I am quite certain that I shall be very happy here and my far-away family will be able to rest easy at last knowing I am being so well looked after." – Noelle