Our extra-care accommodation is designed for people who require help and support with daily living, while retaining the privacy of their own property.
The flats are located at Ditchburn Place on Mill Road. They were refurbished in 2019.
The flats are a short walk from local shops and amenities, and there is a bus stop just outside with a good link to the city centre, Addenbrooke’s hospital and the train station.
Assistance
Cambridgeshire County Council have commissioned Radis Home Care to provide assistance with personal care at Ditchburn Place. Tenants can choose to use a different care provider if they prefer.
Radis’s onsite care team is available at all hours. Each resident’s level of care is set out in their personal care plan following a meeting with them and the care provider.
Help includes assistance with washing and dressing, and administering or prompting to take medication.
Radis engage with a range of other agencies and professionals to ensure that a holistic approach to each resident’s care is considered. These agencies include GPs, district nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Radis are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, who carry out regular inspections of the service.
Visit the Radis website to find their contact details and recent inspection reports.
Extra-care flats
Each extra-care flat has a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom with a level-access shower, toilet and sink. They are centrally heated and are designed for wheelchair access.
The 36 flats are located over three floors with lift access. Each floor also has shared kitchen and dining room facilities and an assisted bathroom, providing those who would prefer it the option of a bath.
Each flat has its own front door and letter box, and tenants are also given a key to the building entrance. The flats are unfurnished, and let by tenancy agreement.
Each flat is equipped with a 24-hour alarm system that tenants can use to contact the on-site care team if they require assistance.
Pets are not allowed.
On-site facilities
An onsite caterer called Elior provides extra care tenants with three meals a day. A food profile is compiled for all new tenants, to make sure that likes and dislikes, special diets and other requirements can be catered for.
We encourage tenants to contribute to the development of the menus. The provision of the meals is a condition of the tenancy.
There is a large communal lounge which is always available for use by tenants.
A weekly activity programme run by the housing team and a voluntary social club includes a Monday Club, Christian Fellowship, and bingo and coffee mornings.
One-off events are also organised, including fetes, formal dinners, visits from bands and choirs, and celebrations for special occasions.
Tenants are welcome to join our social club to contribute to the planning and running of our events.
A team of caretakers provides a weekly cleaning and laundry service to all tenants as part of their tenancy agreements. They are also available to help address any small maintenance problems.
There is an onsite hairdresser, and a chiropodist visits regularly. A caretaker and handyman visits monthly to do odd jobs for tenants. Staff can assist with the booking of any of these services.
Rent and charges
The weekly rent covers accommodation and service charges, including meals, laundry and a flat-cleaning service. A further service charge is made for individual use of heating and lighting.
Rent is eligible for housing benefit payments if applicable.
Apply for extra-care housing
To apply for extra-care housing, complete and return an application form. It’s fine to have somebody do this on your behalf.
You’ll also need to arrange a social-care assessment with the county council’s Social Care team, if you have not already had one. Phone them on 0345 045 5202.
Your application form and social care assessment will be considered by a panel. Eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis.
We’re happy to show you around if you’re thinking of applying – contact us to arrange an appointment.
Guests
Visitors are encouraged and there are no set visiting times. Parking is available onsite.
Guests are welcome to join tenants for lunch, at a cost of £5 for a three-course meal.
