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.
