Settling into Campbell Place

Judy is one of the first residents settling into Campbell Place, a brand new extra care scheme in Fleet.

The sun is shining on Judy’s new two bedroom flat which faces a blossoming garden courtyard and communal conservatory. Judy explains that 10 days ago she had moved from a three bedroom house in Meadow Walk where she had lived for 35 years.

“It was great because all the schools were in close walking distance and it was a nice house. My old house was lovely but it was a family house and there needed to be a family living there.

"Moving here has really helped me to be more independent, I only have to go up the hill to get into town. The apartment itself is all new and very modern. I’ve never lived in such a place.

"There are so many places to go and sit and it has everything you could possibly want. I can’t
think of anything else that they could have put in that would make it any better.”

Campbell Place also offers residents access to 24 hour, flexible care and support designed to suit individual needs. “Ali and Michelle* are lovely and always so helpful. And it’s nice to know that there are carers on hand, it gives me a feeling of security.”

Although Judy’s family have now grown up her three daughters and six grandchildren still live locally, “My apartment faces on to a path and every day my grandchildren go past on their way to school and wait for a wave from me.”

As Judy had previously lived locally to Campbell Place she had been past the site regularly and seen adverts about the new scheme, “Because I had walked past before, I could see the sunny spot that I really wanted and I was able to choose where I wanted to live. When I applied I didn’t think I had a chance but it all came together. Because I was coming from a three bedroom house I was given priority.”

You can find out more about Campbell Place at www.sentinelha.org.uk/campbellplace

*Allison Flaherty is Scheme Manager and Michelle Rayner is the Liaison Officer for Campbell Place.

Resident's seal of approval on new homes

Members of Sentinel's resident design panel visited the Notcutts Nursey site at Bagshot recently to inspect completed houses and flats. The site will provide a total of 91 houses and flats for rent and shared ownership in Surrey Heath. So far over 40 homes have been occupied, providing much needed housing in the area. 

The site has been developed by Charles Church to a high quality. Members of the panel were very impressed with the properties and facilities on the site. Kathy Hine commented, “These are lovely homes of a high quality. There are good facilities for families including a play area and lots of open space nearby”.

Wickham Court gets web-wise

Residents of our Wickham Court sheltered scheme in Fleet recently proved that older dogs can learn new skills by getting online with the help of students from nearby Court Moor school. Computer savvy students ran training sessions for scheme residents which proved so popular that 70% of them would like to carry on. The project was also shortlisted for a prestigious housing award.

More information about learning computer skills and information about courses and events can be found on the Computer skills for life website.

Spreading Hamper Happiness

The Hen House Group, at Heathlands Court, have been working hard in this cold weather to raise money and bring hampers to community members.

This year they have endevoured to raise money not just for resources for the group, but more importantly to support fellow community members.

Earlier this year the Hen House team raised £180 at district events like Fleet fireworks night supplying hot drinks to staff, volunteers and the public. More recently they braved the cold to hold two stalls at Fleet winter festivities. The stalls, a bottle tombola and a homemade craft stall, raised an amazing £280.

This year the group decided the they would like to use the money to support some individuals and families in the community by supplying a little Christmas cheer in the way of goodie hampers and children's gifts. The group asked key members of the community for confidential nominations and were able to put together custom hampers for them.

The Hen House, consisting of past and present residents, has been running for five years. They get together every Wednesday over a coffee and cake to learn new skills, support their peers and promote community spirit. The group's mantra is 'Help us, to help ourselves and our community'

Residents share Christmas crafts

Heathlands Court residents have been working hard to create a selection of Christmas craft kits for children to take home from this year's Fleet Festivities on 24 November, 4-9pm. The crafts include Santa stockings, hand puppets, Christmas hats plus a host of other craft ideas.

The Fleet Festivities celebrate the start of Christmas by staging a huge community street party. Fleet will be buzzing with attractions and activities to suit all ages and the main stage at the end of the High Street will showcase local talent plus a community sing along.

Parking in all the main car parks is free from 4pm onwards but please note that Fleet Road will be closed from the Oatsheaf Pub through to the junction with Church Road from 12 noon until 11pm.

Hart youngsters get a hosing down

Young people in the Hart area flocked to our Get With summer activity programme over the summer holidays.

Local partners including Hampshire police, the fire service and Hart community wardens gave up their time to support the scheme and treat local youngsters and teens to some summer fun. On Thursday 29 July the fire service were at The Base Youth Centre in Ravenscroft, Hook. Kids got a hands on feel for the job, handled the hoses and tested their skills in a water assault course.

Our Neighbourhood Manager, Melissa Chapman said: “Young people are often misunderstood, giving them a chance to spend time with positive role models from the police and fire service is a great way to build better relationships and helps to cut down on youth crime.”

Cheryl Edwards, Manager of Hart Neighbourhood Centre added: "In this economic climate it is great to be able to give kids the opportunity to do things they might not normally be able to do."

‘Get With’ was set up in 2005 by Sentinel, and is now run in partnership with Hart Neighbourhood Centre in the Hart area. See www.getwith.co.uk to find out more.

And the winner is...

Residents of Heathlands Court in Yateley rallied round again this year to raise money at their local May Day Fayre.

The Hen House group had loads of donations from local businesses and friends of Heathlands Court for their tombola.

Top prize was a £100 Argos gift card donated by Sentinel and overall they managed to raise £690.00. The money will go towards projects and activities for residents of Heathlands Court as well as the wider community.

A clean sweep

Sentinel caretaker Bob Grover covers around 80 square miles from Fleet to Camberley and Farnham to Guildford. As a man of many talents, you may see him repairing communal doors, changing light bulbs or making sure shared open spaces are kept clean, tidy and safe. We’ve got around 178 apartment blocks and Bob checks them all out, “some blocks need more attention than others,” says Bob, “so I tend to visit them more regularly.

Of course if someone spots a problem in their communal area, they can let the me know by phoning in and I’ll come and check it out.” To contact Bob, phone 0800 555 5515 from a landline or 0300 666 5515 from your mobile or use the contact us form.

Cool yule

At Heathlands Court in Yateley, the children’s Christmas party was a big hit with our younger residents. The children danced the night away to party games and a disco put on by children's entertainer Sarah Groombridge. We had home made food and a surprise visit from Santa who brought gifts donated by The Yateley & District Lions. Thank you to everyone who supported this event.

New apartments in Aldershot

Residents are settling into our latest new homes in Aldershot. Printing House Court in Crimea Road is built on the site of an old printworks close to the town centre, transforming this ex-industrial space into an apartment complex with 73 homes to rent and part-buy part-rent.

Use your voice

Young people living in the Hart district now have a chance to influence local services. The “Voice” group was set up in partnership with Hart District Council and the Hart Neighbourhood Centre.

Keeping your neighbourhoods safe

Hampshire police secured a Crack House Closure in January following complaints from residents about disturbances and nuisance from a bungalow in Odiham. We’re supporting the police action and served a notice to regain possession of the property after the police found evidence of class A drug use.

Cheap as chips

If you live in the Hart District you can get your dog microchipped for just £15 (£10 if you’re on benefits) and only £10 for second or third dogs (£5 if you’re on benefits). For more detail phone the Dog Warden Service on 01252 774594.

Fleet first for over 60's

We’ve now demolished the outdated bungalows in Campbell Close, Fleet, to pave the way for a new £12m Extra-Care apartment complex for over 60s who need access to round-the-clock help and support. Extra Care is a new concept for older people who need a bit of help around the house, but want to remain as independent as possible.

Sheila's hit the write note

Hartley Wintney resident Sheila Standing was over the moon when she won a £350 laptop computer in a prize draw from our recent Residents’ Week.

Sheila has been writing poems for her church magazine for years on an old typewriter, which was on its last legs when her name came out of the hat for the main prize.

“I’ve never won anything before”, the Walpole Gardens resident says. “My children have been on at me to get a computer, and I was thinking about it when I got the call. It’s fantastic.”

Sheila – who has 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren – attended our tea dance event at Church Crookham on 10 September, and was automatically entered into the draw for filling in a form to tell us what she thought we should do more or less of.

Fun in the sun

Families on the newly refurbished Dukes Park estate, in Aldershot, made the most of the summer sun. We teamed up with the Ministry of Defence to organise a community barbeque, so residents could mingle with each other and staff, over a delicious BBQ and irresistible chocolate éclairs provided by Army chefs. “This type of event really helps to break the ice and gives neighbours a chance to get to know each other better”, says Neighbourhood Manager Alison Bone, “it also gives us a chance to meet residents and offer our support to set up a residents association.”

If you’re interested in setting up a residents association in your area give Richard Pilbeam a call on 0800 195 5515 free from a landline or 0300 666 5515 from your mobile.

Tears over Farnborough

There were tears of joy as residents moved into our new Amber Gardens development in Victoria Road, Farnborough. Many of the new residents were overcome by the quality of the 16 rented homes and 7 part-buy part-rent homes, and both us and our partner Cove Construction have received fantastic compliments about the £6m project.