Estella House is situated about 100 yards from the town centre and is administered by the Trustees of the Ogilvie Charities.

The accommodation at Estella House comprises of four purpose-built studio flats, each of which has its own bed sitting room, fitted kitchen and bathroom. These flats are suitable for single persons only. There is, however, a guest room for general use.

Each of the flats receives its heating and hot water from a communal system which supplies the guest room also. All have centrally metered electricity supplies for cooking and lighting.

Estella House provides, therefore, self-contained housing accommodation. It is not a Residential Home for older people, or a Nursing Home. It offers the security of a Scheme Manager who works out of the neighbouring Charles May House, and is responsible for exercising general and unobtrusive supervision of the occupant’s well-being and sees that they receive any help needed. An audio alarm system linking each of the flats with the Scheme Manager, ensures that assistance can be summoned readily in an emergency. Relatives and friends are encouraged to help the residents when required, and it is expected that the medical, nursing, and Social Services (such as home help) of the Health Authority and the County Council, will be available to those living at the Estella House, in exactly the same way as to others with homes elsewhere in the community. Nevertheless, for the good of all, it has to be said that residents cannot remain and be cared for there during illnesses of a kind which would not normally be coped with in their own homes.

Because of the open-plan nature of the ornamental grounds surrounding Estella House, dogs and cats cannot be kept by residents.

From time to time, the accommodation at Estella House is advertised publicly and a waiting list of potentially suitable applicants is prepared. It is not necessary for anyone seeking such accommodation to await the appearance of an advertisement, however, because enquiries can be made at any time. Uninvited callers are asked not to visit Estella House casually, good though their intentions maybe, because they would infringe upon the privacy of the people living there.

Application forms and other information may be downloaded from this website. Alternatively, the General Manager will send enquirers by post, written details of Estella House and forms of application for the accommodation and services provided there.

On every occasion that a vacancy occurs, the General Manager will select persons on the waiting list and invite them to submit to her up-to-date particulars of their personal circumstances for consideration. She will then arrange personal interview at Estella House for those whom she considers to be the most needy applicants for the vacant accommodation, and where she considers it appropriate to do so, may ask permission to pay them home visits also. Applicants being interviewed will be given the opportunity to be accompanied by a relative or friend.

The General Manager will refer to the Trustees’ policy on eligibility and other factors, and select from among those interviewed someone whom she can recommend to the Trustees for immediate accommodation at Estella House. After receiving the Trustees approval a Letter of Agreement will be sent to the applicants selected, setting out the full terms on which the offer of accommodation is authorised and the joint signatures of an applicant and the General Manager will signify their acceptance.

Persons eligible for accommodation at Estella House are those who, at the absolute discretion of the Trustees, are preferably, but not necessarily, residents of Colchester, or have caring relatives or friends living in the area, and in the Trustees’ judgment are in need of sheltered housing and the oversight of a Scheme Manager.

The current charge is £106.26 per week (As at April 2024)

The weekly charge which the Ogilvie Charities makes for accommodation at Estella House includes the cost of maintaining the premises and equipment in good repair and decoration, heating and hot water and electricity for cooking and lighting, the upkeep of the grounds and fences, and the Scheme Manager’s services. This charge will be reviewed regularly by the Trustees and any changes which they consider it necessary to make will be explained to the residents at the time. It is payable weekly, in advance, to the General Manager. Colchester City Council recognises this charge in determining the rate of Housing Benefit allowance payable to those who are entitled, and close collaboration is maintained with them in such cases.