A HOUSING trust that offers a home-from-home for older people in the heart of the Lake District is to hold an open afternoon.

The Nine Oaks charitable trust has vacancies at its two properties in Windermere, where accommodation is provided for people who want to stay independent yet feel the need of some companionship.

As chair of trustees Nicola Steadman told the Gazette, each resident has their own studio or flat and is served with two hot meals per day. Rents start at £200 per week with meals and bills included.

The trust’s two properties, Nine Oaks and Thornton House, are situated in the gardens at Phoenix Way and between them they offer 20 or so self-contained rooms or flats, mostly for single people, plus one or two couples aged 60-plus.

An open afternoon is to be held on Sunday, October 1, from 1pm to 4pm, with refreshments and guided tours, and everyone is welcome.

The trust, which began in 2008, offers long-term, short-term and respite stays. Residents are expected to be reasonably fit and active, but support packages can be arranged by individuals if the need arises, with an outside provider.

Tenants furnish their own rooms and there are shared lounges for activities such as chair-based exercise classes, talks, harvest festivals and Easter feasts. Weekly ‘knit and natter’ and games afternoons are held to ensure there is company for people if they want it.

Meanwhile, friends and family are welcome to stay in the guest rooms and use the on-site parking.

To find out more, call manager Lynn Langton on 015394-44436 between 9am and 1.30pm each day, or Nicola Steadman, chair of trustees, on 01539-721945 Monday to Friday. www.nineoakshousing.co.uk