Alexandra Place

About Alexandra Place

Our Alexandra Place extra-care scheme in Woodley, Reading, provides 64 self-contained one and two bedroom flats for the over 55s.

This innovative scheme opened in 2011 and offers an impressive combination of services to an unusually wide range of residents. We can accommodate residents with low to high support needs, as well as offering continuing support until the end of life.

New residents to Alexandra Place come to us as referrals from Wokingham Borough Council. We find that they particularly value the quality of their homes, in this quiet residential area. We are frequently told that the scheme is “like a palace”.

Alexandra Place is a multi-award winning scheme, having won 'Most Innovative Supported/ Sheltered Scheme' at the national Housing Innovation awards and bronze in the 'Housing with Care 60-99 units' category at the EAC awards, which are voted for by residents.

The flats include 14 properties sold on shared ownership leases (75% current market value purchased, 25% retained by Catalyst - no interest or rent paid on extra share).

The facilities we provide

Residents live independently in their own flats, which are self-contained and fully adapted for disability. Every flat has a walk-in shower and a connection to the emergency call system. Alexandra Place is pet friendly.

Communal facilities include:

• a communal lounge
• an exercise suite
• a visiting beauty therapist (offering a variety of services)
• a laundry
• a guest room, available for a reasonable charge
• two lifts
• a Community Hub Office
• a spa bathroom
• a hair salon open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
• attractive gardens, where residents can grow vegetables and plants
• 11 parking spaces – including four for disabled people.

We employ cleaners, gardeners and a window-cleaner to service the shared areas and residents can also call on our centralised repair service.

Regular visiting services include district nurses, a chiropodist, a massage therapist and the library service, which brings a fresh set of books once a month.

How we manage the scheme

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

How we support residents

Low-level support for residents at Alexandra Place is provided by the Scheme Staff. Our staff's prioritises are listening to residents, respecting their wishes and treating people as individuals.

At the start of the tenancy, we provide new residents with a tenancy pack, including their tenancy agreement and a resident’s handbook, outlining their rights and responsibilities. We then work 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.

For residents who need assistance with personal care, we work in partnership with Optalis, who provide a 24-hour care system.

Activities at the scheme

As well as informal socialising, activities are organised such as coffee mornings, film club and aromatherapy. A number of regular and one-off arts, fitness and events are provided by our Engagement Team.

What's in the area

Alexandra Place has its own shop, otherwise residents use the free Red Bus service to get to Woodley Centre. The Centre has branches of M&S, Iceland and Waitrose.

For residents who enjoy green spaces, there is a park immediately behind Alexandra Place. Opposite the scheme, Emmanuel Church, Woodley offers Church of England services as well as Catholic communion.

Local bus routes include: 13 (Woodley Airfield to Reading), 14 (Woodley to Reading station) and 19 (Woodley to Reading via Royal Berkshire Hospital).