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When Great Homes Limited and specialist management company Peverel began their search for the ideal person to fit the shoes of the new house manager at Highlands it was the turning point in Tracey Sully’s career. “I was delighted when I was offered the position and haven’t looked back,” she says. “It is a lovely place to work so it must be a lovely place to live.”
Highlands is the brand new award-winning collection of 23 one and two bedroom high specification retirement apartments that have become a landmark building in Gidea Park’s Main Road.
Designed to offer residents a carefree, independent lifestyle, Highlands has a beautifully interior designed lounge and library, environmentally friendly and energy efficient features, landscaped gardens and state-of-the-art safety and security technology, including a 24-hour emergency careline facility provided by Peverel – plus a house manager. It was designed to the Code for Sustainable Homes standard.
The first of the residents moved in just a few week’s ago and, once the boxes were unpacked and the furniture arranged, they began getting to know their neighbours and, of course, Tracey. “Everyone is so friendly and already we are organising coffee mornings and a Christmas party,” she says. But as the house manager of Highlands, Tracey is the first to admit that her role is crucial to the smooth-running of the development and the safety and security of its residents.
One of Tracey’s first jobs is to welcome new residents to Highlands and explain how everything works. “I show residents around the building and the gardens, and go through things like the careline system. I show residents how it works,” she explains. The careline system means that should a resident need to contact either the house manager or Careline in the event of an emergency they can by pressing a button on their radio pendant which they can keep in their apartment or if they wish it can be kept on their person. The system is designed to offer absolute peace of mind.
Tracey also makes sure new residents know where the fire escapes are and what the fire procedure is, and explains how the CCTV entryphone system to get into the building works. She will go through the facilities of new residents’ apartments too. “It is always daunting to move into a new home but I hope by showing people around, going through everything and being here for them if they have any questions it will help them settle into their new home in no time at all.”
Tracey, who lives within walking distance of Highlands, is delighted to be working in its luxurious surroundings. She adores the gold and cream themed residents’ lounge and library, and the beautifully designed gardens. Her own office is located on the ground floor, a few steps from the lounge, and so she sees most residents on a regular basis.
“I try to make sure I see or chat to every resident everyday and am happy to give them a daily call if they would like me to, but I am very conscious that this is a collection of apartments for independent living. Not all residents will want to use the lounge or the library.”
One of Tracey’s first duties of a typical day is to check the building and its gardens. In particular, she checks that all the locks and lights are working correctly and checks the building for anything that could cause an accident. She also does regular fire alarm and careline checks, and ensures other security features are working correctly too.
Highlands has an integrated fire alarm system and an electric gated driveway. At the entrance door is a CCTV entryphone system that allows any of the residents to see who is at the entrance before allowing them entry to the building. There is also a lift that allows easy access to the first and second floors. Again, all are key features of Highlands and facilities that Tracey checks to ensure are always working correctly.
Tracey has now settled in at Highlands and is really enjoying her new career. It takes a certain type of person to be a house manager, she says. “You need to have been through life’s experiences. You need to be understanding and to deal with any issues as they arrive. You need to be a people’s person.”
For further information on Highlands, which has just won a Daily Mail UK Property Award in the Best Retirement Development in Essex category, and was officially opened by the Mayor of Havering, Cllr John Clark, just a few weeks ago, visit the show suite which is open every Friday to Monday from 10am to 5pm or contact the sales agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000. Great Homes Limited’s website can be visited at www.greathomes.co.uk. |
