Rackstraw House
Accommodation: 22 flats
Address: 40 Primrose Hill Road, Primrose Hill, Greater London NW3 3AB
Phone: 020 7722 6862
Type of housing: Sheltered Housing for over-55s
Portfolio Manager: John Dicomites - 07717 558 761
About Rackstraw House
Rackstraw House sheltered scheme provides seven self-contained studio flats, 14 one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flats, for those over 55s. The scheme aims to support independent living.
Rackstraw House is a three-storey purpose-built building, which was refurbished around 10 years ago. It is situated just five minutes’ walk from the popular local green space of Primrose Hill.
The facilities we provide
Residents live independently in their own flats, with lifts available and can ask for support from staff if they need it.
The scheme’s communal facilities include:
- a large communal lounge with a small library of books
- a laundry space
- a car park
- attractive planting to garden around the building
We employ cleaners and gardeners to service the shared areas, and residents can also call out centralised repair service. Guestrooms are available for a reasonable charge.
How we manage the scheme
John Dicomites is the Portfolio Manager for Cleve Road, supported by a Service Officer. The Service Officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of Cleve Road and maintains links with outside agencies.
Portfolio Manager - John
John started working at Central & Cecil in 2011 as a Support Officer. He progressed through the company and became a Housing Officer after staying in that role for several years; since 2021, John has managed the sheltered housing schemes in Camden as a Portfolio Manager.
How we support residents
Residents are provided with a tenancy pack, including their tenancy agreement and a resident’s handbook, outlining their rights and responsibilities. Our sheltered Service Officers work with each resident to draw up an individual support plan. The plan may offer support with daily living skills such as claiming benefits, making rent payments, sorting out rent arrears and reporting repairs. Residents who need more support can be referred to specialist agencies.
The friendly atmosphere at our sheltered schemes is vital to us, so we recruit people who are warm, open and sensitive to the needs of older people.
Activities at the scheme
As well as informal socialising, activities are organised, such as coffee mornings, film club and aromatherapy. Our Engagement Team provides several regular and one-off arts, fitness and events.
What's in the area
Rackstraw House is situated five minutes’ walk from the lovely open space of Primrose Hill, with Regent’s Park and London Zoo in the area.
The scheme is very close to a parade of local shops, including a Tesco Local, a butcher’s shop and a hardware store. There is a branch of Morrisons a short bus ride away. The same bus continues to the shops, cafés and restaurants on and around Camden High Street – which include a large branch of Sainsbury’s. Also close to Rackstraw House is St Mary the Virgin (Church of England) in Elsworthy Road, while St Thomas More (Catholic) is near to Swiss Cottage tube.
Transport in the area is good. Chalk Farm on the Northern Line is the nearest tube station, but Swiss Cottage on the Jubilee Line is also accessible. Adelaide Road, which crosses Primrose Hill Road close to the scheme, is on the 31 bus route (Camden Town to White City). The 168 (Hampstead Heath to Old Kent Road) passes Chalk Farm tube.