Sheltered Housing - take a fresh look

Sheltered Housing

Our sheltered housing schemes

Christchurch Close

Summers Lane, North Finchley, N12 0PY

Derby House Parson Street, Hendon, NW4 1QS

Drummond House 50 Font Hills, Long Lane, East Finchley, N2 8LF

26–63 Gadsbury Close Goldsmith Avenue, West Hendon, NW9 7EU

Hanshaw Drive Thirleby Road, Edgware, HA8 0HP

Little Larkins Mayhill Road, Barnet, Herts, EN5 2NS

41–65 Market Place Hendon Lane, Finchley, N2 8DD

Moreton Close Milespit Hill, Mill Hill, NW7 2PH

Prospect Place East End Road East Finchley, N2 0XA

Rectory Close Hendon Lane Finchley, N3 1TS Rosa Freedman 17 Claremont Way Cricklewood, NW2 1AJ

St John’s Close Rasper Road Whetstone London, N20 0LX

St Johnstone House 49 Woodside Park Road North Finchley, N12 8RX

The Potteries Barnet Lane Barnet, EN5 2DH Vale Court93 Bulwer Road, New Barnet EN5 5EZ

Wimbush House, 6 Westbury Road, West Finchley N12 7NS

Do you want to continue to live independently but with the comfort of some extra support?

We manage a wide range of sheltered housing flats across Barnet that could meet your needs.

They’re specifically designed to provide a secure and friendly environment for older people. Usually residents are aged over 60 and are retired.

What makes sheltered housing an attractive option?

• A well maintained home

• Retaining your independence

• Having your own flat in a safe setting

• Peace of mind knowing help is available in an emergency

• Feeling part of a community with social activities if you wish

• The chance to make new friends and enjoy an active social life

The facilities

Sheltered housing flats have been designed especially for older people, with additional security measures and links to the Assist alarm system if you get into difficulty.

You will also have a sheltered housing officer available to help you with certain aspects of your day-to-day living. That could include arranging repairs to assisting you with forms.

Flats are usually in a block with their own individual front door opening onto a corridor and with access to facilities without going outside. Your post is delivered directly to your front door.

Nearly all flats have their own kitchen and bathroom, and a separate bedroom and living room. Some are studio flats with a larger combined bedroom and living space.

The flats are unfurnished, so you can create your own home with your own furniture, curtains and carpets.

Many flats have a shared heating system providing heating and hot water for everyone at a reasonable cost. You can control the heating in your own flat with your thermostat.

Your security and safety

Your flat will be fitted with a door-entry phone system, smoke detectors and fire alarm as standard.

All flats have an alarm system with pull cords in every room. Pulling the cord alerts the sheltered housing officer or our Assist Centre, which provides 24-hour cover, seven days a week.

Staff there can call your doctor or the emergency services on your behalf, or arrange an emergency repair if necessary.

Other features

Most of the sheltered housing schemes feature:

• guest rooms for relatives and friends to stay at a small charge

• a bathroom designed for assisted bathing

• on-site laundry

• communal lounge for relaxation, as well as social events and activities

• communal gardens and patios, with the option of taking part in gardening if you wish

• car parking for residents and visitors.

Please note that our residents have agreed that no dogs or cats should live in the schemes, with the exception of guide dogs.

“I’d recommend sheltered accommodation to others wanting independence, as well as the security of having a daily visit and an alarm service. You’re among your own age group, which has the added bonus of making neighbourhood nuisance unlikely! The location is great for me and I even have my own garden!”

- David Thornley, Derby House

Sheltered housing officers

Our sheltered housing officers are available Monday to Friday during normal working hours. Their duties depend on the type of scheme, but normally include:

• helping you to settle in following your move

• making daily contact with you to check on your welfare

• helping you to maintain your independence

• encouraging social activities

• dealing with emergencies

• Providing details about services, such as health care and meals at home and acting as an advocate if required

• Arranging for adaptations and carrying out Health and Safety checks.

“Moving into sheltered housing from a private landlord was the best thing I’ve done. I’d say ‘go for it’ to anyone considering it. I’m on my own now, but feel secure here and although I’m independent, I still receive a daily check to see I’m OK. We also have the pull cord for emergencies and the freephone for customer service if I need a repair or have any problems. Thanks to the computer classes on offer here too, I’m now on the internet. Once you adapt to a smaller flat you’ve cracked it and I’m a fit and happy OAP.”

- George Millar, Rectory Close

Your charges

Your bill will include rent, water rates, an alarm charge, a general service charge and an enhanced housing management charge. In most cases there will also be a charge for heating and hot water.

The general service charge covers the cost of providing shared services, such as cleaning of communal areas, maintenance and gardening, while the enhanced housing management charge covers the services of the sheltered housing officer.

You will also need to pay your council tax and your bills for electricity, gas, telephone and home contents insurance.

Help if you have a low income

You may be entitled to housing benefit to help pay your rent, alarm charge and both service charges.

If you are not eligible for housing benefit, you may qualify for a rebate under Barnet Council’s Fairer Charging Policy. This is decided by a social worker’s assessment of your needs and financial means. If you qualify, a rebate may reduce or even cover the charge.

“I’d definitely say yes to sheltered housing to anyone with an outgoing personality and who is mobile. I think it’s also a good idea to make the move and settle in before you have any major health issues.”

Perhaps have a chat with a resident who has recently made the move to see how it’s worked for them.”

- Doreen Buck, Derby House

How to apply

If you are not a council tenant at present, contact Barnet Homeseekers for an appointment on 020 8359 4797 or email homeseekers@barnethomes.org.

If you are a council tenant already, please contact your housing officer to discuss this or call Barnet Homes on Freephone 0800 3895225.

For an informal discussion about whether sheltered housing could be the best option for you or a loved one, call our Sheltered Housing team on 020 8359 4352.

More information about Barnet Homes and our Assist alarm service can be found on our website at www.barnethomes.org.

Sheltered Plus Housing

We also offer Sheltered Plus Housing across Barnet. This facility has been especially designed for older people, usually aged over 60 years, who need extra support and perhaps feel they can no longer manage to live independently in their current accommodation due to increasing frailty, illness or disability and may need some care at night. The council’s social services officers will need to carry out an individual assessment for you to move into one of these flats.

To find out more about Sheltered Plus Housing please contact Barnet Homes Sheltered Housing team on 020 8359 4352.

“I enjoy the pleasure of being able to meet other tenants socially in the common room for coffee and a gossip as well as going to social events with my neighbours.”

- Marge Lacey, Hanshaw Drive