Communal Facilities

 

Some sheltered schemes have a number of facilities and services which all tenants have equal access to, such as a laundry, communal lounge and kitchen. Tenants are requested to take into account the needs and rights of other tenants when using these facilities and are requested to leave them in a tidy manner ready for the next user.

 

Communal Lounge
The communal lounge is available to all tenants for social and recreational activities, or simply as a place to meet up and talk with friends and family. It is largely up to tenants to decide the type of social events and activities they wish to hold, and our staff will support and help in their organisation.

 

Social clubs are encouraged and can be run by tenants for the benefit of all. The Council has guidelines on how to run cash accounts and staff have full details of these.

 

The use of the lounge can be popular so staff will manage its use to prevent any double booking. The lounge can be used for special occasions, such as tenants' birthdays, wedding anniversaries, etc., and it is always best to book well in advance due to their popularity! The lounge can be a great place to meet up to have a chat or simply watch a video, etc. Its use is encouraged by staff.

 

Communal Kitchen
A communal kitchen is provided near the lounge so that tea and snacks can be easily prepared by the tenants or the manager. Meal preparation facilities are available in some schemes for use on special occasions or luncheon clubs. Anyone who does use the communal kitchen is responsible for cleaning it, and for washing crockery and cutlery.

 

Laundry
All our schemes have a laundry where automatic washing machines and dryers are provided for the use of tenants or their carers. Some schemes operate a laundry rota - staff can provide more details to tenants about the laundry before or after moving in.

 

The laundry is for the use of tenants and their carers only and must NOT be used to do family or friends' washing.

 

Guest Room
A guest room is provided in our schemes for short-term use by visiting friends or relatives and is administered by the scheme mangers who will operate a booking system. It should be noted that relatives visiting a sick tenant take priority in the use of this room and that all stays should be booked in advance.

 

There is no charge for the room, which is cleaned and freshly laundered for guests; however, a donation to the scheme’s social fund is always appreciated.

 

Television
At most schemes there is a communal aerial with connections to each flat. This means that there is no need for individual aerials to operate televisions. Any tenant wishing to have a satellite dish or CB aerial, etc., must get written permission from the Housing Department prior to installation.

 

Tenants who are over 75 years old get a free TV licence and those who are over 60 years old get a concessionary fee for the licence, presently £5 per year. This does depend on particular circumstances in some cases and our staff will be able to tell you more about how this scheme applies to your particular situation.

 

Telephones
Most schemes are pre-wired with telephone cables to each property, so connecting a telephone is simple and involves little disturbance. However, the standard charge from the telecommunication company still applies in each case.

 

Relatives or friends are requested not to attempt to contact tenants by telephoning our staff at home. Staff do carry mobile phones and have office telephones, which can be called. Messages for staff can be left with the HomeCall at any time and will be passed on as soon as the manager becomes available.