Different sites cost different amounts. Prices range between £120 and £165 per week, depending on location. Please contact us for details.
To qualify you need to be over the age of 55 and to be a resident of Birmingham. You will also need to have an assessment of your needs for sheltered housing in an almshouse.
Lench's Trust caters for people of 55 years old and above. In the case of a couple applying for housing, both individuals would have to be 55 years old and above to meet the criteria
Applicants must be over 55 years old, and able to look after themselves albeit with a degree of assistance from a care team or family members. They must either be residing in or have some connection with Birmingham for example a relative who may be their main carer etc. As Lench's Trust is an Almshouse Charity it would be expected that the applicant is somewhat 'in need' whether this is a financial, social or housing need. The exception to these rules is William Lench Court which comprises of apartments of different tenure (including shared ownership, one and two bedrooms) and the availability of a Care Team twenty four hours a day should it be required.
All of the schemes have a healthy waiting list which is continually changing due to availability of empty flats, however applicants are encouraged to inform Head Office staff should there be any change to their personal circumstances which may alter their position on the waiting list as the list is compiled on a 'needs' basis
Application forms can be obtained by phoning Head Office on 0121 426 0455 or by downloading a form from this website
The normal process is that the application form is requested, completed and returned to Head Office. A written acknowledgement letter is sent out on receipt of the returned application form also explaining that a home visit will take place within 12 to 20 weeks. On exceptional occasions it may be less than 12 weeks or longer than 20 weeks. Once the home visit has been completed an assessment is made of all of the information collated and the applicant is awarded points according to their needs, thus allowing the applicant to be appropriately positioned on the waiting list. Unfortunately it is not possible to suggest how long someone may be on the waiting list.
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Lench's Trust provides housing for those of 55 years and above, either as single or couples
Lench's Trust properties are all located in the Birmingham area.
Lench's Close is on Wake Green Road in Moseley, situated closely to Moseley Village.
Tanner's Close is on Whitehouse Common Road Sutton Coldfield not far from Good Hope Hospital and Sutton Coldfield Shopping Centre
William Lench Court is on Ridgacre Road Quinton near to Harborne Village
Two semi-detached houses are situated in Northfield near to the Shopping Centre
The properties at Lench's Close in Moseley and Tanner's Close in Sutton Coldfield are one bedroom self contained flats with lounge, kitchen, bathroom and storage space. William Lench Court in Quinton comprises of one and two bedroom self contained apartments for eitherbeneficiaries of the charity or for shared ownership with lounge, kitchen, bedroom, wet room and storage. The two properties in Northfield are 2 bedroom houses.
The costs vary for each scheme and the costs are updated annually in April. Depending on the individuals financial status, housing benefit and council tax can be applied for to assist with these costs. The charges also include a portion of the service charges and at William Lench Court there is also a well-being charge which the resident is responsible for. As the costs are so variable depending on the scheme it would be of benefit to telephone the Head Office on 0121 426 0455 and ask for the costs of the scheme/s you are interested in
The Trust does not have any flats for outright sale, however at William Lench Court there are apartments for shared ownership where a percentage can be purchased and the remaining percentage is rented. The costs for this again would also be varied depending on the percentage purchased. The explanation of costs can become quite complex and it probably would be more beneficial for you to telephone Maria Mullins at Waterloo Housing on 0845 450 3995 with whom Lench's Trust are working in partnership in regards to shared ownership properties. A more personal and individual explanation can be given according to your circumstances.
Lench's Trust are fortunate that all of their properties are in easy access of all amenities, bus stops, general practitioners, dentists shops, hospitals, churches etc.
Due to the nature of sheltered housing, it would be expected that residents should be prepared to receive a daily call or visit from the Scheme Manager and if this is not desired, sheltered housing may not be the correct housing choice for that individual.
Part of the Scheme Manager's role is to offer support with these requirements and give assistance to residents who are unable or not confident to do it for themselves; however our focus at Lench's Trust is to promote independence to individual residents and not to make them unnecessarily dependent.
Lench's Trust believe that safety and security of the residents is paramount and we take all of the necessary precautions to ensure this. However it is also the responsibility of individual residents to ensure that they are mindful of safety and security issues. If they do have concerns they may either approach the Scheme Manager or use the emergency pull cord alarm system to notify the emergency out of hours team or dial 999.
As this is sheltered housing it would be expected that residents should have some degree of independency. We would hope that families and friends continue to be involved with their relative and are able to assist over the weekends when the Scheme Manager is not on duty.
In communal areas such as the communal lounge, laundry etc and within each flat we have emergency cords fitted in each room should it be necessary to alert urgent assistance. The contact details of the next of kin and/or someone who can be notified in an emergency is kept on the residents file and at the emergency call centre should it be required. Should the operatives deem it necessary they will alert the emergency services if required.
The exception to this is William Lench Court which is an extra-care facility - therefore there are members of staff on duty 24 hours a day.
Lench's Trust works with an emergency call centre called Trustline. Trustline offer a twenty-four hour service, this service is not only offered at weekends but also once the Scheme Manager goes off duty at the end of the working day or if the Scheme Manager has to leave the scheme during the day, may be to attend a meeting or a training day. There is therefore always cover provided. Once someone has pulled the alarm call cord the call is answered promptly, there are on occasions a slight delay as the operator may be dealing with another call.
Care is provided but depending on which scheme the person is residing at, will vary the way it is provided.
At Lench's Close and Tanner's Close there is a Scheme Manager whose duties do
not include 'a hands on' approach for the resident's individual care. However, the Scheme Manager is essential for assessing the needs of individual residents and instumental in supporting the resident to access the most appropriate care package either from social services or a private agency.
At William Lench Court it differs from the other two schemes as it is both a sheltered housing and an extra-care facility. This connotation incorporates the 24 hour presence of a Care Team at the scheme (Lench's Trust are working in partnership with Yardley Great Trust who provide the care). The Care Team will assess applicants before they move into the scheme and the appropriate care package is set up or as and when necessary whilst living at the scheme, so as to provide the necessary care package required to ensure the well being of individual residents is being addressed.
There is the opportunity for social activities to take place at all of the schemes; encouragement is given for the activities to be resident led although the Scheme Manager is at hand for advice and assistance should it be required. Lench's Trust have also employed an Activities Co-ordinator who is working across the three schemes to assist in initialising the activities the residents are interested in.
Part of the criterion of sheltered housing is for the residents to form their own community and to be partaking in some of the scheme activities and functions. All this said, whilst residents are encouraged to join in, the choice is theirs to whether or not they join in.
Family and friends can both visit and stay. It is essential for the Scheme Manager to be informed of anyone staying over from an emergency and health and safety point of view. There is also the availability of a guest room at William Lench Court where the availability can be requested from the Scheme Manager.
Lench's Trust employ's a Maintenance Officer and also has a list of approved contractors who deal with all the general maintenance issues.