Selkirk Close
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 wanting to rent. |
Property details | Selkirk Close has 30 self-contained flats on two floors in three blocks. All 30 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. . Most of the properties had new kitchens, bathrooms, re-wires and heating installed over the last 2 years. Quite a few of the properties have water meters. Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. Selkirk 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? | Selkirk Close is in the village of Merley in Wimborne which is approximately 6 miles from the town of Poole. The village shops are placed within a 4 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, Bournemouth Hospital, Broadstone, 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 Selkirk 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 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 wanting to move to Selkirk Close has to get an application form from the Borough of Poole. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is a communal lounge in Selkirk Close that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. A loop system in the communal lounge is regularly used for meetings. 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, seating area for tenants, car park, rotary dryers, new kitchens, new bathrooms, new gas central heating. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. |
Services | Selkirk 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 personal care. 2. A community alarm service. When sheltered housing 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 housing 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. 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 Selkirk 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 | Selkirk Close is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. Social events are held regularly at Selkirk Close and the local people are invited to attend. A foot care service is held in the scheme for the residents and people in the community are also welcome to use the service. |
Staffing and expertise | Selkirk 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 e.g. welfare benefits, tenancy support. The SHO has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks in the scheme. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Selkirk Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Selkirk 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 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 | "I have been in my flat now for 5 years. During the past 3 years I have had a walk-in shower fitted plus new kitchen and central heating. I am disabled so the walk-in shower is very important to me. I am very lucky as I have had very few problems with repairs, but the few times I have they have been dealt with promptly. I am in sheltered housing and although I have no reason to need the back up of the Sheltered Housing Officer I know the back up is there should I require it. I am very happy with my flat and the management by PHP." – Brian |