Oakwood Park, Galashiels

Aims of the service

Oakwood Park provides housing with additional features and support to help older people to retain their independence and enjoy a good quality of life in the community. Situated near the centre of town, this development offers good quality, affordable homes for older people with support to retain their independence. It offers a warm, friendly atmosphere and a safe secure setting that is suitable for people with restricted mobility. Housing support is provided by a small staff team based on site. Further information on the service is provided in the Sheltered Housing Support Service booklet which is available from the address below.

What facilities and services are available?

There are 19 self contained properties:

6 one person, one bedroom flats, with showers
9 two person, one bedroom flats, with showers
1 two person bedroom wheelchair house, with shower
2 one person, one bedroom wheelchair house, with shower.
1 four person, two bedroom flat with bath.

Each flat has its own kitchen, lounge, bath or shower room and electric central heating system. The development is on two floors and has a lift.

The following are provided

The Co-ordinator leads a small staff team providing support, available throughout the day Monday - Friday and for a few hours over the weekend
Staff are non resident and not on duty overnight
Bordercare 24 hour community alarm
Door entry- phone system
Communal lounge / dining room
Communal laundry
Bathroom with bathing aids
Overnight guest room with en-suite facilities are available and may be used for a small charge
Maintenance and cleaning of communal areas
External window cleaning
Grounds maintenance

Tenants have the option, for an additional charge, to take a mid-day meal in the communal dining room if they wish. This service is available Monday - Friday. Special diets can be catered for.

Eildon Care and Support does not offer nursing or personal care to tenants at Oakwood Park. If such care is needed, staff will help tenants to access this through the Health Service or Social Work.

Who can apply?

The service is for older people who wish to live in Galashiels and would benefit from housing and support provided.

Applications are accepted through Border Choice Homes - information on how to apply is available here or from the address below.

What is it likely to cost?

Tenants pay rent and service charges to Eildon for their accommodation and related property services. Eildon Housing's rental policy aims to keep the rent and service charges affordable.

Included with the rent are the following service charges:

Window cleaning,
Grounds maintenance,
Light and power in communal areas,
Cleaning of communal areas,
Lift,
Fire detection system,
Furniture and equipment in communal areas.

Approximate inclusive charges for rent and services from April 2010

Accommodation Type	Charge per week
One person, one bedroom flat	£71.86
Two person, one bedroom flat	£77.02
One person, one bedroom wheelchair house	£75.31
Two person, one bedroom wheelchair house	£80.49
Four person two bedroom flat	£85.50

Housing Support Service Charges

The housing support service provided by staff at the development and the Bordercare alarm service are funded by Scottish Borders Council. Tenants may have to pay a contribution towards the costs of these to Scottish Borders Council, depending on financial circumstances.

All tenants are responsible for their own electricity and Council Tax charges.

Individuals may be entitled to Housing Benefit, Income Support and other benefits. Our Financial Inclusion staff will be happy to help if you are concerned about being able to afford the charges.

How to obtain more information

For further information please contact the Co-ordinator at Oakwood Park on 01896 758 368 or the Community Care Co-ordinator in our Selkirk Office.

We welcome and encourage prospective tenants to visit the property and meet the staff and other tenants.