Community Living | The Church of England

We operate seven community living schemes around the country.

Our purpose-built schemes offer individuals and couples the opportunity to live within small - but vibrant - Christian communities, whilst having their own front door. Residents in our schemes have their own fully self-contained flats, and can access a range of services, supported and provided by scheme staff. Services and facilities include a communal laundry, well-maintained gardens, help with repairs and property maintenance, and the provision of at least one shared meal a day. Each scheme also has a Chapel, with services organized and run by residents, with support from the local parish.

Our retirement living is available to both new and existing customers, at any stage of their retirement. Unlike our other housing schemes, which are generally designed to support clergy leaving tied accommodation, Supported Housing is available to a wider group.

We can help:

those with Anglican stipendiary service,
those with non-stipendiary Anglican ministry service,
Brothers and Sisters from Anglican religious orders,
Church Army officers,
those who receive a pension from the National Church Institutions, and
their spouses and civil partners.

To be eligible for one of our supported schemes you (or your spouse/partner) must have at least 5 years’ pensionable service.

Scheme Locations and Details

View our map to see where our schemes are located and to access their individual details.

Rent and Service Charge

The monthly charges include rent for your flat and service charges, which pay for the cost of maintaining the communal areas and grounds and providing the catering and support service.

The service charge includes (not exhaustive):

All utilities
Catering costs
Use of the laundry room (Laundry service is an extra cost)
Warden call system and remote call centre
Building maintenance and facilities
Comprehensive health & safety provision
Staffing
Garden maintenance

Not included:

Council Tax - paid directly to the council
Telephone costs - arrangements vary, check with scheme directly
Broadband - arrangements vary, check with scheme directly
Laundry service
Guest charges

If you have savings of £16,000 or above, you will need to cover the full costs of the service; if not, you may be eligible for housing benefit. If you are a member of the clergy with at least 5 years of stipendiary service, you may be eligible for subsidised support costs.

How to Apply

If you haven’t previously visited us and you are debating whether one of our Supported Housing schemes might be right for you, we strongly suggest that you come for a short visit.

You are guaranteed a very warm welcome from staff and residents who will be happy to show you around. You can come for lunch or afternoon tea, arrange an overnight stay or indeed longer if you would like an extended holiday in one of our guest rooms.

We operate a waiting list system for our schemes. If you decide after visiting us, that you would like to add your name to this, please complete an application form and return this to the manager of your chosen scheme, or to our Housing Team.

Our waiting list has two parts – active and reserve. If you would like to move in as soon as possible, your name will be added to our active list. Alternatively, if you are not looking to move yet but would like to register your interest for the future, we will add you to our reserve list.

When you complete the application form you can state your preference for one or more of our schemes. We generally offer properties to applicants based on the length of time they have waited. However, priority may be given to applicants who make an application on specific grounds such as homelessness or disability or where their current home is unsuitable for them.

If you place your name on the active part of our waiting list, we will keep in regular contact with you. We will let you know once your name reaches the top of the list, and once a vacancy arises, we will invite you to the scheme to view the accommodation on offer. This visit usually takes place as soon as possible, and ideally within 2 weeks of an offer being made.

The purpose of the visit is to help you get an idea of what it is like to live in one of our supported housing communities and to learn more about what support and other services are available to you. It is also an opportunity to discuss your needs and practical issues around planning your move and your new tenancy.

Please note that if you accept the offer, we do expect that you are able to start your tenancy within a month of the date you view it. You do not necessarily have to move in if you should require more time to complete your move, but your charges will be payable from this date.

Forms and Documents

Vacancies

We currently have flats available at the following locations:

Capel Court, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

If you would be interested in viewing a flat or would like any further details, please contact Anita Bennett or Vanda Gibbons on 01242 579410.

Dulverton Hall, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

If you would be interested in viewing a flat or would like any further details, please contact Shelley Ball or Karen Stephens on 01723 340100.

Manormead, Hindhead, Surrey

If you would be interested in viewing a flat or would like any further details, please contact Peter Hilling or Carolyn Crabbe on 01428 601500.

Ramsay Hall, Worthing, West Sussex

If you would be interested in viewing a flat or would like any further details, please contact Amelia Harris or Sharon Carter on 01903 235045.

Stuart Court, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire

If you would be interested in viewing a flat or would like any further details, please contact Michelle Basey or Cathy Rich on 0116 279 1191.