Extra Care Schemes

Are you interested in extra care schemes? Extra Care is specifically for older people who need some support to maintain their independence. If this is the type of housing you are interested in, please contact your local council to discuss this. Details of your local council can be found on our partner landlords page.

New scheme coming soon in Witham

We are currently developing a new extra care scheme in Witham called Helen Court. This new scheme will provide self-contained rented flats specifically designed for people aged over 55 who need care services to help them in their everyday life.

Helen Court includes the following features:

55 self-contained flats, all with their own fitted kitchen, spacious lounge-diner and fully tiled bathroom with level-access shower;
a mix of one-bed and two-bed flats;
24 hour on-site staff
restaurant serving a hot mid-day meal each day
shop
hair salon

The scheme is owned by Hanover Housing, a housing association that specialises in housing for people aged over 55 and those with care and support needs. We hope in particular, that the scheme will provide high quality housing for people who otherwise may have had to go into residential care.

People wanting to apply for the scheme must first contact the Housing Assessment Team at Braintree District Council on 01376 552525 who can also answer questions about the scheme. People applying will then be assessed by the Social Care Team at Essex County Council. In order to be considered for the extra care apartments at Helen Court you must meet the criteria of either critical or substantial need of at least 6 hours worth of care needs a week.

Ironside Walk in Manningtree.

Ironside Walk is on Colchester Road in Manningtree, CO11 1ES very close to the town centre.

There are 40 one bedroom flats for single people and couples. At present 16 of those flats are set aside for extra care, although this may be increased over the coming months. All those flats are wheelchair accessible and have level access showers. They were remodelled from the former residential care home known as Foundry Court in 2003/04 so have modern kitchens and heating.

The eligibility requirement is a minimum of 4 hours per week assessed care needs. The county's appointed care provider is Colne CareForce, although some residents also enter into their own private arrangements.

The majority of the flats are on the first floor and reached by a lift. There is a Assisted Bathroom, treatment room, library and hairdressing salon on site. Foundry Court day centre still operates on site, although transition arrangements are underway to develop this into a Community Wellbeing Centre offering a range of services for older people in the community. Age Concern have recently become involved and offer a luncheon club twice per week. MillRace have recently installed computers in Foundry Court and these are available for residents to use. A local chiropodist provides a clinic on site.

There is an active community at Ironside Walk with a wide range of events taking place. These include regular clothes sales, entertainment and parties and visits by the Pets as Therapy organisation (Dillon the cat is indulged by all!). Further to this residents can access the attractive gardens, use the mobility store for scooter charging, use the laundry facilities and three separate lounge and a games room.

Rents are between £115 & £135 a week inclusive of service charges. Extra care rents are higher but include heating, electricity and water rates. Those residents must make their own arrangements for payment of the council tax. Housing related support is provided by our Scheme Coordinator who works on site 35 hours per week Mon - Fri.