This is a guide of facilities, not available at every scheme.
Independent & Supported Living
Everyone should feel safe in their own home which is why we are proud to offer a range of Independent Living options.
No matter what circumstances you may find yourself in – we can support you with an independent lifestyle, offering a selection of services and facilities designed to suit your needs.
If you are 55 or over, our retirement housing is available to buy or rent – perfect for those looking for amenities close by and living in a like-minded community.
Our supported housing is designed to assist you if you have learning or support needs, regardless of age.
We have more than 5,000 homes across the Midlands, East London and the South East of England providing a home for more than 7,000 customers.
Each scheme has an officer provided on-site to provide the exact assistance as and when you need it.
Interested in learning more about the types of home we have on offer? We’ve produced a leaflet that gives you an overview of the types of homes we have available, the benefits of each type of home along with details on how to find out more information.
Range of housing and features
Read more about our independent and supported living housing schemes and features.
Independent Living Scheme specifications
Features |
Community |
Leasehold |
Sheltered |
Extra Care |
---|---|---|---|---|
Features Safe and secure scheme |
Community Yes |
Leasehold Yes |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Scheme officer |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Lifeline service |
Community Some |
Leasehold Yes |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Self-contained flat with own front door |
Community Yes |
Leasehold Yes |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Wellbeing check |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Communal lounge and facilities |
Community Some |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Mobility scooter storage and charging |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Social activities |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Communal garden |
Community Some |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Guest rooms |
Community - |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Communal Wi-fi |
Community - |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Some |
Features Restaurant |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Some |
Features Cafe |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Some |
Features Hairdressers |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Some |
Features Podiatrist |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Some |
Features Balcony |
Community Some |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Some |
Features Laundry facilities |
Community Some |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Spa bathrooms |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Some |
Features Carers on site |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Handy person service |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Some |
Features Shared ownership option |
Community - |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Better Days services |
Community Yes |
Leasehold - |
Sheltered Yes |
Extra Care Yes |
Features Bungalows |
Community Some |
Leasehold Some |
Sheltered Some |
Extra Care Some |
Features Full leasehold option |
Community - |
Leasehold Yes |
Sheltered - |
Extra Care - |
Independent Living testimonials
“I have settled in my new flat very well, I absolutely love it. I have been with Orbit for over 20 years they are a very good landlord. Because of health reasons I needed to move out of my two-bedroom house into sheltered housing, Orbit took all my needs into consideration and offered me a property that suited my needs. Linda who runs Hayley House has been very good, she explained the tenancy to me step by step, she was a great help which made the move a lot easier for me to cope with. Hayley House is a lovely safe place to live, well done Orbit.”
September 2020, Hayley House, Belvedere, Bexley
“Linda and Lynsey have made us very welcome and have given any help we needed. The other residents gave us a warm welcome and love their homes.”
September 2020, Bramley Court, Attleborough
“Excellent apartment and excellent customer service from Emma. Thank you.”
August 2020, Queensway Court, Leamington Spa
My Wellbeing
Lifeline Services
Our Lifeline Service gives you the freedom to live independently in your own home.
The personal alarm provides you and your relatives with the peace of mind that should you need help, our service provides around the clock assistance available instantly from the press of a button, either from your fitted unit or your wearable pendant.
Security and reassurance starts from just £2.15 per week and set up and equipment costs. Find out more here.
Lifeline service testimonials
88% of users said they would be likely to recommend Apello to others (2019: 85%)
Customers who have used the service have told us they are delighted with the added peace of mind it brings them. Here is what a few of them had to say:
“Excellent knowing somebody to help 24 hours a day or night. I feel safe knowing it’s there.”
“It makes me feel safe – a great comfort when you are on your own.”
“All I can say is they are helpful, caring and kind and put you at ease.”
Wellbeing services
Your wellbeing is important to us. That’s why we offer a range of activities and support. From scheme activities and customer engagement to diabetes clinics, community support groups and home adaption to help make your life easier.
Browse what we have to offer to find something that might suit you.
Get involved in Independent Living
Involving you in everything we do, and using feedback to keep improving, is at the heart of Independent Living. There are lots of ways you can get involved:
- Monthly customer meetings
- Monthly drop-ins at each scheme held by Area Managers, to have a say in how the scheme is run and to build relationships with our team
- Twice annual service charge meetings, chaired by Area Managers to discuss scheme specific charges and services
- Individual scheme Resident Associations who have regular contact with scheme employees and our management team at some schemes
- Suggestion boxes onsite and/or central email boxes for use 24/7
- Customer surveys led by our Customer Insight Team and Service Development Teams. Including first impressions after new lets and input into shaping our service going forward
- An involved customers team, which include people from all regions / tenures / schemes (not just Independent Living) who review and suggest improvements on policies and ways of working across all of Orbit
- Customer association meetings
Home adaptations
If you feel like you need a bit of help to make it easier to get around your current home, then we can offer home adaptations which could help you with things such as grab rails, stairlifts and level access showers and more.
Why not consider our retirement housing schemes as an option, as well? Our homes in these schemes are set up to be accessible for physical needs and have care available as well, should you need it.
We have an home adaptations policy to assess your application to make sure we are fair to ensure we spend limited funding carefully.
We also consider the scale of the changes needed. Minor adaptations, likely to cost less than £1,000, can often be carried out as part of our normal repairs service for customers. (This includes things like grab rails, handrails, tap changes etc.)
Major adaptations (more than £1,000) need an assessment from an Occupational Therapist to ensure that the changes are right and meet your needs. (This includes things like level access showers, stairlifts, large ramps etc.)
How to make an application for:
Minor adaptations
If you believe that the change you need to your home is likely to cost less than £1,000, you can simply request this as a repair booking or contact us.
Major adaptations
If the changes you need are likely to cost more than £1,000, please contact us first and we will get in touch to discuss your needs. We will contact you within five working days of receiving your request.