Selby Close

Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities

Who is it for?	People over the age of 60 years wanting to rent.
Property details	Selby Close has 29 studio flats and one bedroom flat in a block and 30 one-bedroom bungalows, which have their own private entrance. All the bungalows are large enough for couples. The bungalows have a large storage room and each have a small patch of garden, which some residents have made into patios, there is an abundance of grassed areas with apple and plum trees. Selby Close has a concessionary TV licence. All flats and some bungalows have Gas central heating others have electric storage heaters. Some bungalows also have water meters. Studio Flats are a reasonable size and each studio flat has a large cupboard for storage and 2 large cupboards that can be used as wardrobes Some Studio flats have had new kitchens and some properties have level access showers. Selby 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?	Selby Close is located just of York Road, and is a few minutes walk from the main shopping area of Broadstone (The Broadway). All buses into Poole stop at the entrance to Selby Close. From the Broadway buses to Bournemouth, Wimborne, Canford Heath and other local areas are available. The high street has a wide variety of shops, banks, 2 GP surgeries, Dentists, Florists, 2 Supermarkets, 2 Newsagents, 2 butchers and a variety of cafes and take away. There are clothing shops, a motorist discount store and a Vets Practice very close to the shops. There is a Leisure Centre, which is a few minutes walk away. There are churches and other places of worship on the Broadway and also on York Road. There are a few benches along the high street.
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 on site 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 Selby Close 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 or bungalow 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: 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 Selby Close must be on Poole Council Housing Register.
What is provided? Facilities	There is a bright and sunny common room (for up to 70 people) that tenants can use if they wish to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings, we also hold coffee mornings, tea and cake afternoons, bingo etc. The common room has a computer with full internet access. There is a guest room with 2 bedrooms, one twin and one single. A bathroom and separate toilet. There is a laundry, which the residents can use with a drying area directly outside, and there are 4 double buggy sheds with electricity provided free of charge. There are drying areas provide for the bungalows with approx 5 bungalows sharing one drying area. The dustbins and recycle bins are kept in the drying areas for easy access and the main House has it's own bin store. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. There are 2 car parks and there is also plenty of parking on the road. The mobile library visits every 4 weeks. The Age Concern runs a Pop-In each Monday between 2-4 pm which, residents can attend and people from the local community are also made welcome.
Services	Selby Close has three main services. They are: 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. 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. 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 residents on set days (if required) to see how they are. 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 Selby 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	Selby Close is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The local community sometimes uses the communal lounge and the Safer Neighbourhood Team hold meetings there on a regular basis. Social events are regularly held at Selby Close and local people are invited to attend. There are also outings, which, are arranged by the committee, and other schemes are invited to join in if there are spare seats. Poole Age Concern runs a Pop-In each Monday between 2-4 pm, which, residents can attend and also people from the local community, are also made welcome.
Staffing and expertise	Selby Close staff includes 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.
Complaints and other matters	Anyone living at Selby Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Selby 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	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.Mrs Debbie Marsh, Sheltered Housing Officer, Tel: 01202-695075 or e-mail d.marsh@poole.gov.uk
What it feels like from the user's perspective to live in the scheme	I love living at Selby Close. We have a very good residents committee that put on lots of activities; coffee morning, trips out etc .we now have a gardening club so it helps keep the gardens nice. There is a lovely community spirit. We also have a very nice S.H.O. always willing to help if and when needed. It is a real pleasure to live at Selby Close. Alan

Print this page