www.FreeholdCottage.com

LOCATION
Freehold Cottage is situated on Market Street in Shawforth, a small village on the border of Rochdale and Rossendale. It is within easy traveling distance of both Whitworth and Bacup. It is close to open countryside as well as having the facilities of towns nearby.

PREMISES
The house is stone built and typical of the Lancashire countryside. The interior is homely yet spacious. There is a utility room with an automatic washing machine and tumble drier. The ground floor offers a comfortable lounge, a dining room, a modern fitted kitchen and a toilet. The staff room is also at ground floor level. The first floor provides six single bedrooms with washbasins and two bathrooms with toilets. Central heating is provided throughout the home. The most recent fire regulations are strictly adhered to. To the rear of the property is a pleasant stone walled garden.

STAFF
There are experienced staff on duty at all times. The owner, Mr. Kiaran Burke, has twelve years experience working in the community with people suffering from mental health problems. Arrangements for medical, dental, optical and other specialised care are made for each resident before taking up his / her place in the home. The management also provides the opportunities and assistance needed for residents to fulfil their religious needs. The local clergy are invited to take an interest in the home and the spiritual needs of the residents.

MEALS
The food is wholesome and home cooked. Individual likes and dislikes are catered for. All staff have completed training on food safety / hygiene to comply with the Food Safety Act 1990 and Regulations 1995. The residents not only enjoy the food, but when their interest in its preparation is aroused, help in its making. Residents who prefer to do their own cooking are given every assistance and encouragement, along with advice on food hygiene, nutrition and achieving a balanced diet. There are facilities for the making of snacks and drinks for the residents and their friends and relatives. The residents design menus and shopping lists.

PASTORAL ARRANGEMENTS
The home provides information on religions and cultures. Transport is arranged to places of worship if the resident is unable to make his / her own way there. Residents are consulted as to which representatives of religions are to be invited to the home. If requested, key workers arrange pastoral visits to the home for residents. The home maintains friendly relationships with the local religious centres.

ACTIVITIES
As well as looking at television and listening to music, there are opportunities for the residents to enjoy many other recreational activities. Going for walks, swimming, day outings, eating out, enjoying handicrafts and art, gardening, trips, inventing games to while away the wet Lancashire days, are part and parcel of the home's provisions.

Community facilities, i.e. Occupational Therapy, Industrial Therapy, Community Day Centres, Employment Training Schemes, are employed for the benefit of residents wishing to take advantage of such services.

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
The residents are responsible for, and given every assistance to manage their own financial affairs, and to fully use the local banks, building societies and post offices. In instances where this is not possible, the administration of residents' property, valuables and money, is carried out as directed in the Lancashire County Council Guide to the Registered Homes Act 1984

VISITING ARRANGEMENTS
Visitors are welcome at all times between 10 am and 10 pm. Visiting outside of these times can take place in special circumstances or when prior arrangements have been made with the management.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
After the initial two month trial period, it is agreed, in writing, that the manager or resident should provide a two month period of notice before the period of residence can be terminated by either party.

The management provides full board, continuous provisions for snacks, full laundry facilities, materials for past-times and other interests, regular trips out, and any other items that can be reasonably considered as a necessary provision for an acceptable level of comfort.

COMPLAINTS
It is hoped that all grievances will be minor and resolved with little or no distress. All residents are informed in writing of the whereabouts and availability of the Complaints Register and the name and address of the registration authority to which complaints may be made. All complaints will be sympathetically investigated. The Complaints Register will always be available for inspection by The Commission For Social Care Inspection.

FEES
Fees charged are based on individual support and care needs. Payments may be met by funding from sources other than the resident or his [her] family. The management will provide help and advice on gaining such funding. No one will be excluded on account of an inability to pay the full fee.

PERSONAL ALLOWANCES
The management considers the D.S.S provision for personal allowance to be insufficient and provide for it to be 'topped up' to a total of �35.00 per week in those circumstances where the resident is completely reliant on Income Support for his/her personal allowance.

Freehold Cottage is a member of North East Lancs. Care Homes Association and the N.S.F.

The home is insured with Ecclesiastical Insurance. A Public Liability Certificate is displayed on the office wall.