What happens about general maintenance issues? Expand Lench's Trust employs a Maintenance Team and also has a list of approved contractors who deal with all the general maintenance issues. In addition to that, we also have a full time gardener who makes sure that all the outside spaces and gardens are kept tidy.
Can family and friends visit or stay? Expand Family and friends can both visit and stay, however, it is essential that the Scheme Manager is informed as we must know how many people are on site should an emergency arise i.e. a house fire. There is also the availability of a guest room at William Lench Court and Lench's Close (costing £17.50/night) - any requests should be put to the Scheme Manager.
What happens should my parent/relative not wish to join in all the activities? Expand 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, it is their choice whether they do so or not.
What is happening as regards to social activities at the schemes? Expand 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 our Scheme Managers are at hand for advice and assistance should it be required. If you wish to find out which activities we offer on a weekly basis at each scheme, please click here.
Is care provided? Expand The care provided is dependent upon where the resident resides. 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 responsible for assessing the needs of individual residents and is instrumental in supporting the resident to access the most appropriate care package either from social services or a private agency. William Lench Court is both a sheltered housing and an extra-care facility. This incorporates the 24 hour presence of a Care Team which since April 2014 has been fully employed by the Trust. The Care Team will assess applicants before they move into the scheme and the appropriate care package is set up as and when necessary whilst living there. This will ensure that we provide the best and most appropriate care package to suit the wellbeing of each individual resident.
How quickly do the out-of-hours call centre respond? Expand Lench's Trust works with an emergency call centre called Connexus. Connexus offers a 24 hour service, which is not only provided on weekends but also anytime the Scheme Manager is off duty, be it due to the end of his/her shift or because he/she has a training day or other commitments. As a results, there is consequently always cover provided. Once someone has pulled the alarm call cord the call is answered promptly and the necessary procedures are taken.
Who looks after residents at the weekend? Expand As this is sheltered housing, it is 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 shared areas such as the communal lounge and laundry etc., and within each flat, we have emergency cords fitted 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. If the operatives deem it necessary, they will alert the emergency services. The exception to this is William Lench Court which is an extra-care facility - where there are members of staff on duty 24 hours a day.
Will our family member be safe and secure? Expand The safety and security of the residents is paramount here at Lench's Trust 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, use the emergency pull cord alarm system to notify the emergency out-of-hours team, or dial 999.
Is it possible to ask for assistance to arrange hospital or GP appointments etc? Expand Part of the Scheme Manager's role is to offer support with these requirements and to give assistance to residents who are unable or not confident enough to do it for themselves. Our focus, however, is to promote the independence of individual residents and to not to make them unnecessarily dependent.
Do you have to have a daily visit from the Scheme Manager? Expand 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. If this is not desired you can ask to opt-out. If so, however, you should consider whether sheltered housing is the correct housing choice for you.