The Chestnuts

About The Chestnuts

The Chestnuts sheltered scheme provides housing for 35 people aged over 55.

The Chestnuts is on the site of an old manor house that was destroyed by fire in the 1970s. The new main block, which opened in the early 1980s, was built around the façade of the original house, an attractive building in keeping with this pleasant residential street.

The block has 27 self-contained studio flats and three one-bedroom flats, set over three floors. A further eight, characterful, one-bedroom flats are situated in converted stables and servants’ quarters that date back to the 18th century.

The facilities we provide

Residents live independently in their own flats and can ask the Service Officer to organise support if they need it. There is also an emergency call system to all flats.

The scheme’s communal facilities include:

• a reception area and office
• a large lounge with an internet-ready computer
• a communal kitchen for parties and hot drinks
• a library/common room
• a free laundry
• a guest room available for a reasonable charge
• a lift for the main building
• lovely established gardens around the main house and annexe, including a patio, seating and planting – some residents are keen gardeners and they have won awards from Hillingdon in Bloom as well from a C&C gardening competition
• parking

We employ cleaners and gardeners to service the shared areas and residents can also call our centralised repair service, C&C Direct.

How we manage the scheme

Tracey Morgan is the Portfolio Manager for The Chestnuts, supported by Service Officer Diane. Diane is responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme and maintains links with outside agencies.

How we support residents

Residents are supplied with a tenancy pack, including their tenancy agreement and a resident’s handbook, outlining their rights and responsibilities.

Siobhan then works with each new resident to draw up an individual support plan. This may include 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.

Activities at the scheme

Regular activities at The Chestnuts include:

• fortnightly afternoon tea events
• aromatherapy sessions
• a monthly Holy Communion group is led by the local vicar
• outings, for example to garden centres, country houses and the river.

A number of regular and one-off arts, fitness and events are provided by our Engagement Team. Some of these may happen offsite.

How we involve and listen to residents

Satisfaction with where you live is vital to your happiness and our continual improvement and success. That’s we aim to encourage regular engagement and offer you a range of ways to share your ideas and work together to make a difference. Across our Sheltered Housing schemes, our dedicated teams are there to support you and help you live an independent life. But we also value your ideas and suggestions. Through scheme meetings and/or other engagement forums such as our assemblies or Annual Resident Conference, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape our future and be kept informed about what is happening in the community you live in.

We also collect regular feedback through our Resident Satisfaction Surveys and at our Sheltered Housing schemes, you can also use the Sign in tablets located at the entrance, to complete a short satisfaction survey on how satisfied you are with our services and give us any comments on improvements or ideas you may have.

We are dedicated to engaging with residents to help improved our services and enhance the lives of those that live in our homes. Our Service Scrutiny Panel is our formal group where residents & board members analyse the work we do and make recommendations that positively impact services for all residents. Visit our Resident Engagement section to find out more.

What's in the area

Residents can get to the centre of Uxbridge in seven minutes via bus, where there are plenty of shops. In the opposite direction, a five-minute bus journey takes them to a small Co-op and the post office, local shops and restaurants on Long Lane.

For active residents, Hillingdon Court Park is a favourite, as well as the canal towpath on the Colne Valley Canal. Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Centre is nearby at Gatting Way.

Uxbridge station is at the end of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines.  As well as the U2 (Brunel University to Uxbridge), Uxbridge is the end point for a number of other bus routes to places such as Acton, Hayes, Hounslow, Ruislip, Heathrow, West Drayton and White City.

The popular Oxford Tube and Oxford Express buses run between Oxford and London Victoria.