Retirement schemes in Oldham benefit from £1 million revamp

Published by Claire Tinston for IPB Communications in Housing and also in Communities

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is celebrating the successful refurbishment of two of its sheltered schemes as part of a drive to improve its accommodation for older tenants.

The housing association has invested £1 million in re-wiring and up-grading 71 properties at Daisy and Rose Hill Court in Waterhead, Oldham, with new kitchens and bathrooms, roofs, fascias, front doors and central heating systems.

Gas mains have also been installed in the properties to give tenants the option to have both gas and electric facilities which will help reduce their household bills.

The refurbishment of Daisy and Rose Hill Courts forms part of a major £149 million investment programme being delivered by FCHO over the next five years aimed at transforming its 12,000 properties. 

FCHO appointed Salford-Quays based community regeneration specialist Bramall Construction to refurbish Daisy and Rose Hill Courts in March.

Bramall Construction also donated a flat screen TV to the schemes’ community rooms and a new washer and dryer to the laundry room as part of the company’s commitment to giving something back to residents.

Brian Saville, a Resident Liaison Officer at Bramall Construction, said: “The works carried out were particularly challenging as the majority were elderly which meant each tenant had their individual needs and problems to deal with.

“We are very proud that the results of the customer satisfaction survey were so high and Bramall also received a record number of thank you cards from residents.” 

Tenant Sheila Nelson, who lives at Daisy Hill Court, was paying a quarterly electric bill of £170 but since having her gas facilities installed her new bill is now £80.

Other tenants to benefit from the works include Daisy Hill Court tenants Irene Booth who has benefited from a new kitchen, and Joyce Knowles who has received a new central heating system.

“I am very pleased with the works, especially with the workmen who were very friendly and I could not fault them” said Irene.

Joyce added: “I was nervous about the works taking place because I didn’t want much disruption to my home. I couldn’t have asked for this to be done any better. I am very happy with the work carried out and there was always someone on site to help if I had any questions.”

The housing association also announced last month that it has delivered all its ‘100 day’ promises made to tenants when they voted overwhelmingly in favour of transferring the local authority’s properties from an arms-length management organisation to FCHO.

The organisation’s 100 day promises ensures that FCHO has hit the ground running so that tenants can start to enjoy the benefits of the improvements to homes and services straight away.

FCHO reported that as well as revamping its sheltered schemes, it has re-wired 276 homes and installed 207 new central heating systems, 207 new bathrooms with showers and fitted 200 new kitchens.

Improvements also include employing four extra caretakers to improve services, launching a handyperson service and speeding up response times for repairs.

• Bramall Construction is planning to host a celebratory lunch with FCHO and over 100 residents will be invited to mark the completion of the project at Waterhead on Friday, August 19 between 12pm and 1.30pm. The event will take place in the gardens or the community hall, depending on the weather, where refreshments and soft drinks will be served.