Contact Us on 01206 244700

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered (or retirement) housing is self-contained accommodation especially for older people who need some support to live independently. The minimum age is 55 and residents must be retired from their main employment.

Support is via an emergency careline (pendants or pull cords) and usually a member of staff who calls regularly. Support varies and is tailored tot he individual. Staff can provide a regular welfare check, help residents maximise their benefit entitlement, get aids and adaptations for their home and increase or maintain their independence. Support is paid for via the rent. Residents who receive housing benefit claim Supporting People Grant via Colne to pay for this service. Otherwise it is paid for along with the rest of the rent.

There is a brief description of each scheme below. If you would like to receive more information on a particular scheme, an application form, or to talk to a member of staff about whether sheltered housing would be right for or your relative / client call us on 01206 244700.

Colchester

Alderman Howe Lodge in Highwoods, Colchester has 33oneand two bedroom flats across two floors with a recently refurbished lift, laundry room, guest room, parking, an outside CCTV camera and gardens. The residents lounge has recently been improved with a newly designed kitchen area and disabled WC. The guest room with en-suite shower sleeps two people and was opened in 2008. The Scheme Officer works Monday to Friday and has an office on site.

New Farm Lodge in Stanway, Colchester has 24 one bedroom flats across two floors in the main building and five two bedroom bungalows in the grounds. The main building contains the residents lounge, laundry room and guest room and all facilities are available to all residents. The guest room with en-suite WC and wash hand basin sleeps two people. The Scheme Officer works Monday to Friday and has an office on site.

 

Orchard Lodge in Tiptree has 24 one bedroom flats across two floors with a lift, laundry room, guest room, parking and gardens. The Scheme Officer works Monday to Friday and has an office on site. Two afternoons per week the Scheme Officer visits a nearby scheme to provide support.

 

 

Maldon

Colne House in Heybridge near Maldon has 24 one bedroom flats across two floors with a lift, laundry room, guest room, ample parking and gardens. The guest room with en-suite WC and wash hand basin sleeps two people. A programme of improvement works in 2010/11 will see automated main doors installed, improved refuse arrangements and communal area improvements.

 

 

Knights Close in Tolleshunt Knights has 11 one and two bedroom bungalows with their own private gardens. The scheme benefits from a shared community room used each week as a mobile post office. Our Scheme Officer is based in nearby Tiptree and visits Knights Close twice per week.

 

 

Priors Way in Southminster has six one bedroom bungalows. Gardens are shared but residents tend to maintain areas outside their own property. Support is currently provided by Moat Housing via a visiting service.

 

 

 

 

Tendring

Fiske Court in Clacton was acquird in May 2010 and has 32 properties of which half are studio apartments and half are one bedroom flats. The building is four storeys and benefits from an excellent location only a short walk from the sea front. There is a small car park and a well maintained back garden and frontage. The Society is undertaking a programme of improvements over teh next 12-18 months, which will include new kitchens and bathrooms and improvements to the communal areas.

Ironside Walk in Manningtree has 40 one bedroom flats, of which 16 are wheelchair accessible and all have level access showers. This scheme is for frail elderly people who require a minimum of four hours personal care per week (based on a Social Services assessment). The scheme has a wide range of facilities, including a commercial hairdressing salon open three days per week, two laundry rooms, a library, a guest room for two people with en-suite shower, an assisted bathing room and games room.

Essex County Council are currently transforming Foundry Court (on the ground floor at the front of Ironside Walk) into a Community Wellbeing Centre for older people. As part of this, a meals service is currently offered three days per week. The Scheme Co-ordinator is supported by an Assistant who concentrates on site management.

John King Court in Brightlingsea has 20 one bedroom flats on the ground floor and 1 two bedroom flat on the first floor. There is a popular first floor guest room with en-suite shower room (no lift to the first floor), award winning gardens, a bright and airy residents lounge and laundry room. The scheme is very well located being in the heart of Brightlingsea but quietly set back from the main road.

 

Coppins Road in Clacton is a small development of four one bedroom bungalows. Each has a private garden and parking space and there is a shared bin store area. There is no visiting support service to this scheme nor communal facilities. However, there is an emergency careline connection and a Housing Officer is the main contact for the scheme. There is a long waiting list for this scheme and vacancies rarely occur.

Braintree

We also provide management services to Witham Housing Association. They provide sheltered housing for 40 older people close to Witham town centre in studio apartments and large flats. You can find out more about Witham Housing Association here or by calling 01376 515017.

For information on how to apply for our sheltered housing waiting list, please see Apply for Sheltered Housing.