Vale Close

Who is it for?

People over the age of 60 wanting to rent

Property details

Vale Close has 22 properties consisting of 3 one-bedroom bungalows, 8 two bedroom flats and 11 one bedroom flats. All of the accommodation is suitable for couples. The flats are located in four blocks, 2 with two storeys and 2 with 3 storeys, there is no lift

in either block. There are communal gardens to the front and rear of the flats and each bungalow has its own small garden.

There is cable and satellite TV on the scheme.

Flats are a good size and each benefits from a partially big kitchen which have been refurbished. The bungalows are of a reasonable size.

Vale 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 in the area of Branksome, Poole. There is a train station less than a mile away and bus stops outside the scheme with good links to Poole and Bournemouth. The local shops are approx 1 mile away in Ashley Road, with a good selection of shops, banks, Post Office and 2 GP surgeries. A local library is approx half a mile away so too is the local church which has community based activities.

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 during normal working hours Monday to Friday. The Sheltered Housing Officer is not based on site but can be contacted by telephone or by using the emergency call system. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants.

Right to occupy

People living in Vale Close have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy

Agreements between them and the Borough of Poole.

How to get it?

Anyone wishing to apply to rent a flat at Vale Close 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 one lounge in the first block 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. There is also a communal kitchen for residents use which has just been refurbished. There is a tumble dryer for communal use and a shared drying area with rotary dryers. The gardens are communal and many residents get involved with its upkeep including planting flowers, PHP have also provided water butts for residents use

Services

Vale 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 any 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 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 Vale 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

Vale 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 Vale Close and local people might be invited to attend. Residents also attend social events at another sheltered housing scheme Peel Close

Staffing and expertise

Vale Close staff include the Sheltered Housing Officer and cleaning staff. The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available. The SHO also has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks on scheme.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Vale Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Vale 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

The Service charge is for the extra facilities and services provided on the sheltered scheme.

The Supporting People charge is for housing related support provided by the sheltered housing staff and the Control Centre.

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.

One resident has commented about living at Vale Close: "I feel so lucky to live here with all the services on offer, including the handyman service which is free of charge. I feel secure that help is available if I need it and like living in the community of Vale Close"

Want to know more?

Please contact ..Julia Druce Sheltered Housing Officer, telephone 01202 715145