Sheltered Housing
Sheltered housing offers you the independence of living in your own self-contained flat, but with support on hand if you need it. This is usually supplied by on-site staff, alarm systems or a combination of both.
There are often communal areas where people can meet and socialise. One of the benefits cited by people who live in sheltered housing is that they become part of a friendly, supportive community.
Sheltered housing may not be suitable for people with complex needs or severe dementia, or who require extensive personal care.
Where can I find sheltered housing?
Our parent company, Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA), operates three sheltered housing units in the Scottish Borders. These are Boston Court in Duns, Linkim Court in Eyemouth and Gowanlea Court in Coldstream. People living in the Courts are BHA tenants, with the same rights and obligations as BHA’s other tenants.
If you decide to move to sheltered accommodation, you will need to register with the BHA's homehunt Berwickshire Service. You can then apply for any property that is advertised. Find out more about registering with homehunt Berwickshire.
What level of care does sheltered housing offer?
setoncare staff provide a Supporting People service to tenants at all three Courts which we call Housing Support. This means they:
- Make sure the building is secure and control who has access
- Carry out welfare checks, contacting tenants every day to ensure there are no problems
- Arrange social events such as coffee mornings, evening entertainment and day trips
- Can arrange servicing of tenants’ appliances and arrange for tradesmen to carry out repairs to the property
- Can arrange for adaptations to be carried out, such as handrails and bath seats
- Offer advice on and provide supervision for carrying out daily tasks like cooking and ironing
- Help with finances, form filling and advice on benefits
- Carry out minor repairs, such as changing light bulbs and unblocking sinks
- Arrange appointments with doctors, collect prescriptions and do the occasional shopping
24-hour cover is not provided, but there is always someone on call through the Bordercare alarm service day and night.
Additional care and support services can be arranged for sheltered housing tenants, such as:
- Meals on Wheels
- Home Care services to help with household tasks and personal care
Are sheltered housing units proper homes?
Yes! The flats in all three BHA sheltered housing Courts have their own front doors, kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, there are many facilities that tenants share.
Just like the Border towns they are in, every Court is different. Here is some information on each of the Courts. We welcome anyone who is considering sheltered accommodation to arrange a visit. Just contact a member of staff on the telephone numbers given below.
Boston Court, Duns
- Built in 1989
- Adjacent to public park and within easy walking of town centre
- Lift to first floor
- Heating from central boiler
- Common area with kitchen
- Library
- Maintained, landscaped gardens
- Car parking
- Two guest bedrooms for visitors
- Telephone: 01361 883301
Linkim Court, Eyemouth
- Built in 1974
- Lift to all floors
- Flats heated by their own boilers
- Laundry
- Internal, first floor greenhouse
- Garden maintained by tenants
- Library
- Car parking
- Two guest bedrooms for visitors
- Telephone: 018907 50677
Gowanlea Court, Coldstream
- Built in 1976, recently refurbished internally and externally
- Heating from central boiler
- Lift to all floors
- Staircase with electric chair lift in each wing
- Laundry
- Library/quiet area on first floor
- Maintained, landscaped gardens
- Car parking
- Two guest bedrooms for visitors
- Telephone: 01890 882667
How much does sheltered housing cost?
Rents at BHA’s sheltered housing Courts are typically £62 for a single flat, £64 for a double. If you qualify for Housing Benefit it will pay for your rent. If you get Housing Benefit, you will also receive our Supporting People services free, otherwise there will be a small charge.
Contact Scottish Borders Council Social Work Services Department for more information on eligibility for benefits. You will then be assessed for charges for the Housing Support service.
Where can I get more information about sheltered housing?
If you have specific questions or would like to see around any of the sheltered housing Courts, contact them direct on the telephone numbers given.
BHA advertises all its properties, including sheltered housing, that are available for rent. You can find out what properties are currently available by:
- Looking in the local Borders press
- Visiting our offices in Duns, Eyemouth and Coldstream
- Visiting our homehunt website
- Telephoning 0800 587 4868
Our Supporting People service in Scotland is inspected by the Care Commission. Find out more about the Care Commission and read its inspection reports on setoncare, or request a paper copy from us.
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