Willow Park

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 years old wanting to rent.
Property details	Willow Park has 51 self-contained one bedroom flats and one bedsit, over four floors. There are stairs and a lift to each floor. All 51 one bedroom flats are large enough for couples. Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. There is a main front door where each flat can be called individually and a door release button in the flats. The flats lead off carpeted corridors that are wide and bright. Flats are never too far away from the stairs and the lift. There is cable available at tenants own cost, through virgin media and there is no concessionary TV licence. Willow Park 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. Willow Park is unique within the management of PHP as there are also 55 leasehold flats situated within the building and mews
Where is it?	Willow Park is situated in Poole, close to the civic centre and a five minute walk to Poole park. There are bus stops immediately outside the scheme where you can catch a bus to Poole centre, Bournemouth and surrounding areas. There is a dentist and a doctors surgery within walking distance on commercial road, opposite Willow Park. All pathways leading to the building are on a slight incline.
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 building 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 Willow Park have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy Agreement between themselves and PHP.
How to get it?	Only people who need housing and over sixty years old 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 with the highest priority depending on their circumstances. The most common reasons for needing to move are: someone is finding it difficult to manage where they live now because they need housing on one level, or they need to be nearer friends and relatives, or they need to be near shops and buses so they can get on with everyday life more easily Anyone interested in wanting to move to Willow Park has to be on Poole Housing Register to apply. Application forms to go on the register can be obtained from Poole Borough Council.
What is provided? Facilities	There is one lounge, which has been recently decorated and carpeted, and a loop system installed, that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. It is bright and sunny and overlooks the garden area. It also has a printer and 3 computers, one of which is connected to the internet. Next to the lounge there is a small communal kitchen and toilets, including one for the disabled. There are two twin bedded guest bedrooms, one with an en-suite, available for use by family and friends of residents at Willow Park at a small charge. This must be booked through the SHO. There are two communal laundries within the building which are available to all residents on a coin operated system. There is car park at the front of the building where a permit is required. Tunstall telecom have recently installed new speech systems into all flats and communal areas.
Services	Willow Park has three main services. They are: 1. A support service provided by the Sheltered Housing Officers, – to support residents to lead as independent lives as possible, while liaising with outside agencies and assessing the needs of residents and reviewing support regularly. SHO's do not provide personal care. 2. A community alarm service. Every flat has an intercom, pendent, pull cord, as well as pull cords in communal areas. If the equipment is activated the SHO will answer the call and assist with the problem. If the SHO is not on site the call will go to staff at the community alarm service who know help is needed and they will send it quickly. The SHO use the intercom to contact residents in line with their support plan to check on their welfare. 3. A management and repairs service. SHO's inspect the ground and scheme regularly and will contact PHP if any repairs are required. 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 Willow Park and the residents 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 a good standard.
Relationship with the local community	Willow Park is part of the local community and people living there can take part in activities within the local area. The building is not open for regular use by the local community, although social events are regularly held at Willow Park and local people might be invited to attend.
Staffing and expertise	Willow Park has two Sheltered Housing Officers, one full-time and one part-time. The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support available eg. Welfare benefits and tenancy support The SHO also has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks on the scheme.
Complaints and other matters	Anyone living at Willow Park can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving to Willow Park 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	People who are on low incomes can have a financial assessment to see if they qualify for Housing Benefit, to cover all or some of the rent. Some people can get almost all of their service and support costs met. PHP staff can help calculate what individuals would pay before they move in.
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 either of the SHO's, Linda Jolliffe or Jo Bradbrook on 01202 739141 or e-mail Linda.jolliffe@poole.gov.uk j.bradbrook@poole.gov.uk
What it feels like from the user's perspective to live on the scheme	"I have lived at Willow park for 10 years after moving from a private rented property. It was great to move here due to the fact that I am now part of a community, which I previously lacked and my reason for moving, as well as keeping my independence. Even though half the building are leaseholders everyone comes together to social activities eg. Bingo, coffee morning, quizzes, fete, keep fit and trips out. I feel safe and secure at Willow Park as we have a door entry system, lifeline and support of the Sheltered Housing Officers, who call me twice a week and visit three times a week to check on me and report any repairs I may have. Everyone makes such an effort with their gardens which makes the whole scheme look beautiful and a pleasure to live – Mary (Willow Park tenant 2009)

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