Simmonds Close

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

Who is it for?	People over the age of 60 wanting to rent. .
Property details	Simmonds Close has 55 self-contained flats on the ground and first floor, which have their own private entrance (externally accessed). 54 of the flats are one bedroomed and one has two bedrooms. All 54 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. Simmonds Close has recently had their aerial upgraded and can now receive Digital/satellite TV (you will have to supply a sky/set top box), can receive cable TV and has a concessionary TV licence. Some flats have Gas central heating others have electric storage heaters. Some properties also have water meters. Many of the properties have had new bathroom refurbishments some of which have had level access showers installed. There are heat and smoke detectors in all flats. Some now have Carbon Monoxide detectors too. Outside there are communal drying areas and dustbin stores. Simmonds Close has recently had a brand new intercom system fitted which is much quicker for responding to emergency calls, it also gives the resident the opportunity of wearing the emergency pendant on a wrist strap as opposed to round the neck which seems to be more favourable. Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a couple of cupboards for storage. Simmonds 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?	Simmonds close is on the Wimborne road in Oakdale and is on the main bus route to Poole town centre and local towns. There are two GPs close by and Poole hospital (about a mile). Oakdale community centre and library is a 5-minute walk away.
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 ion 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 Simmonds 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: 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 Simmonds Close has to be on Poole Council Housing Register before they can bid for an advertised property..
What is provided? Facilities	There is a common room that can seat up to 99 people and all tenants can use it if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. We have regular social events during the week and have at least one social night every month. We have auctions, outings and summer/Christmas fayres. We have a hairdresser who visits every Wednesday. There is a P.C. in the common room with internet access. The loop system is also installed in the Common Room for anyone who is hard of hearing. The common room is also used in local elections. We also have buggy sheds on site with mains electricity. There is car parking facilities and garages. The grounds are well maintained and the pathways are well lit. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. We sit on the main bus route with easy access to Poole town centre, local hospital and nearby towns. Bus routes are 4, 8, 26, M5 and M6.
Services	Simmonds 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 of any kind. 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. 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. 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 Simmonds 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	Simmonds Close is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The building is sometimes used by the local community for community meetings and also is used for local voting. Social events are regularly held at Simmonds Close and local people might be invited to attend.
Staffing and expertise	Simmonds 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 Simmonds Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Simmonds 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 Christine Foster 01202 679038 or email c.foster@poole.gov.uk
What it feels like to live at Simmonds Close from a service user's view	There is an extremely pleasant atmosphere at Simmonds Close where should residents need it, they may have support from a very caring and helpful Warden (SHO). Each block of flats are surrounded by gardens and the bus stops are just three minutes away where one can catch a bus every five minutes. One can socialise with other residents and great fun can be had if desired. Barbara and Doug.

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