[VGottesman]

PS – our fire system was upgraded a couple of years ago and we are having a new digital autodialler fitted via out fire contractor, to enable the system to work with a digital phone line.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Lisa

We were going to upgrade our system as it was obsolete but the trustees decided to removed our careline as very few of our residents used it.
We now use an assessment process to identify which residents require a system to help them maintain their independence. This is written into the rules and regs and if residents do not take action when this is identified as necessary, it would impact their licence with us. Residents are expected to pay for their own system but we can help them with information etc.

It was a tricky transition but a year on, there are no regrets.

All the best
Vanessa

[VGottesman]

Hi lwinrow

We provide a fridge and freezer or fridge/freezer (depending on which is best for the kitchen layout), if required, and these are PAT tested each year.
As flats are being refurbished or this becomes necessary for individual residents, , a hob and eye-level oven are installed to replace old cookers – no PAT testing necessary as these are ‘fixed’ appliances.
A gap is left for resident’s own washing machines and we have a communal dryer in our communal room toilet, which is well used.
We have a dehumidifier available for resident’s use if damp is identified in a flat but only used once.
Our insurance covers charity items but we recommend residents have their own contents insurance to cover their own items.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Lisa

Our H&S policy states:
SMOKING
• Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is not permitted on site including communal hallways, stairways and gardens. This applies to employees, residents and all visitors.
• The Trustees recognise that residents may choose to smoke or vape in their own home. However they are advised against this and are advised to dispose of smoking or vaping materials safely if they choose to use them.
• No smoking signs are displayed around the site.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi William

I’ve emailed you the relevant extract from our Business Plan – not exactly a vision statement, but hopefully helps a little.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi David

I am General Manager and Clerk to the Trustees, which surely gets the prize for the longest title out there!

Our paperwork is being updated this year so not worth sharing ours with you at this time.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi William

Ours were updated last year, using our retained HR expert at Populo HR, who works only with small charities.

You can find them here: https://www.dorchesteralmshouses.co.uk/public+policies

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Laura

I complained to the scheme about this many years ago and was told they may look into this further in the future but had no plans to change their policy at the time. Essentially, as thesmac says, the bill needs to be in the resident’s individual name for them to receive the Warm Homes Discount.
This is an incredibly unfair and discriminatory practice that means many residents living in communal situations where the business pays the bill, are not eligible, as the business cannot apply for the scheme.
I told the Almshouse Association at the time (2015!) and I am sure they have it on their radar.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Margaret

We use Northern Gas and Power as our energy brokers. We used to use Utility Aid but found them somewhat lacking and NGP have found us excellent deals for electricity and gas contracts for the past few years, some of them lasting several years which makes life easier.
Brokers are paid by the supply companies so no direct charges for you.

Good luck

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi TFindlay

We acquired a grant earlier this year through the Low Carbon Dorset scheme run by Dorset Council. This paid for 50% of the cost of installation of our solar panels. There were some hoops to jump through as with any grant but nothing too onerous.
I suggest you contact your local council for current grant information.

Ours were fitted by Dorset Energy Solutions https://www.dorsetenergysolutions.co.uk/ but we received quotes from a few suppliers as recommended by the grant provider.

Installation of our solar panels has been relatively painless with the most long winded aspect of the process being the time it takes to get an export number from SSE so we can sell our excess to the grid, though I understand this is not uncommon.

Good luck!
Vanessa Gottesman
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Kelly

We charge the same rate for single or double occupancy for the accommodation element of the contribution unless a single resident is living in one of our smaller flats which are charged at a lower rate.
Gas is apportioned equally and electricity is charged according to usage in each flat.
However double occupancy flats are charged a little more for water as they use more than single residents.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Cath

We fit hobs and built-in ovens now. Some flats still have old style freestanding cookers (our former policy was to provide these), but these are gradually being replaced.

We provide a fridge or fridge/freezer if a resident needs one and PAT test these annually when our other charity items are tested.

We provide a built-in washing machine in 2 of our flats that have open plan kitchen/living room

I keep an inventory of our items and remind the resident/their family when they give notice to quit, of what belongs to us and should remain in the flat.

Hope that helps
All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Sally

We do not provide carpets as a general rule but if a carpet is in reasonable condition when a resident leaves us, we leave it in place for the next resident. However we make it clear that this is their carpet, not ours.

We converted a couple of bedsits into 1 bed studio flats with open plan kitchen / living room and did provide carpets in those.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi there

We do not credit check our applicants but have a ‘supporting evidence’ form to complete before someone takes up residence with us. This includes proof of ID, address, NI number, immigration status, as well as income:

3. Proof of income
Please provide the following, dated within the last 3 months:
• Latest bank statement plus
• Savings information if applicable plus
• Investments information if applicable.

Applicants are asked to provide full financial information in their application form, similar to that listed above.

We do not ‘score’ applicants as such but trustees complete 2 forms –
1 is to establish eligibility against our criteria, completed for each applicant following their interest in registering to join our Applicant List.
Later, when we have a vacancy, applicants are asked to complete a full application form, and trustees complete a shortlisting form to aid their decision on which applicants to interview.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[VGottesman]

Hi Tina

We don’t. Our fire contractor provides staff with fire training.
We have an automated fire alarm with monitoring service and full emergency procedures in place for residents to follow.

All the best
Vanessa
Dorchester Almshouses

[Author]

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