Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing
Galgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8GD
Properties for rent
Welcome to Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing
A friendly and safe welcome
Find out how we are welcoming new residents into our retirement housing, alongside the measures in place to keep everyone safe.
Set within a courtyard garden, Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing provides 36 one and two bed retirement apartments for over 55s.
Residents enjoy use of a range of on-site facilities, such as a hair salon, shop and restaurant, and can take part in a variety of optional social activities in the lounge.
A local manager looks after the upkeep of the buildings and gardens, as well as providing further help and support if required. Additional help and assistance is available through Anchor's 24 hour emergency call system.
The properties are situated close to local shops, amenities and bus routes to Richmond, Darlington and Bishop Auckland. Barnard Castle town centre offers specialist shops and excellent leisure facilities, including a large swimming pool and sports hall.
As an Approved Operator, we have signed up to the ARCO Consumer Code, and aim to ensure compliance with the ARCO Consumer Code in the operation of our extra care housing schemes and villages (see www.arcouk.org).
Features of Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing
Communal facilities
Shared facilities complementing each private residence:
- WiFi
- 2 lifts
- Scooter storage
- Hairdressing salon
- Library
Outdoor space
Well maintained outdoor space for you to enjoy:
- Garden
- Extensive grounds
- Landscaped gardens
Care and support
More support available when you need it:
- On‑site care services
- 24 hour emergency response call system
Life at Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing
At Charles Dickens Lodge we have a range of great on-site facilities available to all residents, including a lounge, hair salon, shop, resturant, a guest room for visiting friends and family, and communal gardens for exercising and gardening.
The building is purpose-built, ensuring it is wheelchair accessible throughout and includes lifts to all floors.
There is also a secure door entry system for your added peace of mind.
Nearby facilities include a range of shops, and Barnard Castle town centre offers specialist shops and excellent leisure facilities, including a large swimming pool and sports hall.
There are excellent bus links to Richmond, Darlington and Bishop Auckland close to the property.
At Charles Dickens Lodge we offer purpose-built and well-maintained properties for people over the age of 55 to rent, in a safe and secure setting.
All our properties are self-contained, with their own front door, offering the privacy and independence you expect.
Living at Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing is just like living in an independent retirement flat, but with the added benefit of access to support when you need it. Your home will have a bathroom, kitchen with fully-fitted cupboards, ample storage space, lounge and bedroom areas. It will be easy to maintain and you will have the freedom to decorate and furnish it as you wish.
Many of the people who live in at Charles Dickens Lodge arrange broadband and digital or satellite TV and most properties already have a telephone point installed ready for your own private telephone line.
For added peace of mind, each of our properties are also fitted with a 24-hour emergency call and secure door entry system.
At Charles Dickens Lodge our catering service focuses on delivering freshly cooked, good quality and well balanced meal choices within a restaurant style environment – with allergies and food preferences catered for.
Our catering service is just one of the ways we can help you maintain your independence as your needs and lifestyle change.
You’ll find our Extra Care Housing locations are thriving communities, offering a variety of social activities, to take part in as and when you wish.
At Charles Dickens Lodge we organise a range of activities throughout the week which reflect the interests of the people living here and change on a regular basis.
Activities calendar
| Day | Morning | Lunch | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No activity | No activity | Dominoes | No activity | |
| No activity | No activity | No activity | No activity | |
| No activity | No activity | Bingo | No activity | |
| Computer training | No activity | Church service (monthly) | Film club | |
| Coffee morning (monthly) | No activity | No activity | No activity | |
| Computer training | No activity | No activity | No activity | |
| No activity | No activity | No activity | No activity |
Health
If you are 55 and over, still independent but need a little help time to time, then Extra Care Housing could be for you. It’s just like living in an independent retirement flat, but with the added benefit of access to care and support when you need it.
Move into one of our self-contained properties at Charles Dickens Lodge and you’ll be getting your own high quality home, with the reassurance of care and support from a 24-hour on-site team of professionals. You’ll also benefit from a range of great on-site facilities in a fully accessible setting, and a thriving community.
At Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing we support those aged over 55 with one or more care or support needs to continue to live independently by offering a range of services that support and flex to your needs. This could range from help with shopping, cooking, housekeeping, catering, care, housing related support and wellbeing. You decide the type and level of support that suits your lifestyle.
On-site care provision at Charles Dickens Lodge is local authority approved and funded (subject to financial assessment).
A local manager is based on site to provide peace of mind when it comes to maintaining your home and managing your tenancy. You’ll also find active links with the local community that promote socialisation, including specialised interest groups and services.
Pricing information
We endeavour to be completely transparent about all our charges and fees. Below is indicative pricing to act as a guide to the costs at Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing, Barnard Castle. For further information please contact us.
How much does it cost?
Properties for rent
Your monthly fee will range from £1,116.12 and normally includes your rent, service charge, heating, hot water and water rates. Full details of exactly what you pay will be set out within your tenancy agreement, call us today to find out more.
What is included in rental fees?
Our service charge covers all the cost of amenities you share with your neighbours, including the estate manager service, our 24-hour emergency call service (Anchor On Call), repairs and maintenance, window cleaning, gardening and the cleaning of communal areas.
Your local council will be able to advise you about getting help paying your rent and service charge through housing benefit. They will also be able to tell you if they will be paying a grant to us to meet or contribute towards the support cost elements of our services to you.
To ensure Extra Care housing is right for you, and you meet local eligibility criteria, your application will usually need to go through a local process which involves the local authority, a nominated care provider and us.
Enquire now to speak to the local manager who will explain the application process for Charles Dickens Lodge, eligibility criteria and any local charges. You will also be able to arrange a viewing and see the facilities and what life is like here.
Straightforward, supportive and safe
Staying safe
We continue to welcome new residents to our retirement housing safely and ask residents, colleagues and visitors to consider using face-coverings in shared and busy areas.
Making the most of technology
Everyone’s safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority, so where possible we are offering prospective residents the opportunity to use technology to do virtual viewings and can send videos and photographs to support your decision making. We will of course be delighted to welcome you for an in-person viewing if this is your preference.
Useful information
We are open to new residents.
To start your enquiry, simply click “Enquire now” and call us or complete an enquiry form.
Our helpful team will offer you all the information you need to find your next home - we’ll provide you with full details of the property including up to date information on current vacancies and our waiting list.
When inviting you to consider a property everyone’s safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority.
To help you view the available property we can send you photographs and videos and offer a virtual show round video call, where you will be able to speak to the friendly manager one-to-one and take a look around. Alternatively, we can offer an in-person viewing if you prefer.
During this time we continue to exercise precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors and so will only invite you to view a property in person once it is empty, and after you confirm that no member of your household is displaying any symptoms or self-isolating.
Our aim is for each viewing to be as safe and easy as possible, so during your visit the manager will observe social distancing at all times and you will be asked to follow handwashing guidelines and consider using a face covering in shared and busy areas. Ahead of your arrival the manager will open all the doors minimising your need to touch surfaces and ensuring rooms are well ventilated. They will also minimise risk by taking you to the property via the safest route possible and back up all other precautions with a thorough cleaning regime.To help you view the available property where possible we will send you photographs and videos and offer a virtual show round video call, where you will be able to speak to the friendly manager one-to-one and take a look around.
Your manager looks forward to welcoming you to your new home.
They will be your main point of contact and will work with you to ensure your move goes smoothly and will continue to support you to settle in, offering you any advice and guidance you need to feel at home and confident in your choice to live with us.
During this difficult time, we recognise, see and hear how much coronavirus is affecting the people living independently with us across our retirement housing and we want to help and support you as much as we can.
As part of that support, we have introduced a range of new tools to complement the existing wellbeing services we offer residents. These include services such as Be Active, our free online wellness and movement programme and we have also partnered with UK-wide call companion provider Re-engage to offer a free telephone-based befriending service to help those who may not have others to talk to.
Where possible, we also put residents in touch with the many great local initiatives that aim to support people during this time and beyond.
Read more about how we are supporting our housing residents during coronavirus here.
Getting here
Charles Dickens Lodge Extra Care Housing
Galgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8GD
