Evans's Cottage Homes

The Trust has been providing living accommodation for single women aged over 60 years since 1868. It is managed by a volunteer panel of Trustees of which the Lord Mayor of Birmingham is ex-officio Chairman. Evans Gardens is very close to a wide range of retail outlets and public transport links to Birmingham city centre. The present premises in Selly Oak were built in the 1970s.The property compri

ses of 26 one-bedroom flats, a communal lounge, communal dining room and laundry facilities. The flats are brick built in a rectangular 'horse shoe' around a grassed central area and patio with a seated area for residents to socialise. There are six separate entrances to the flats, each entrance allows access to 2 or 3 ground floor flats and 2 or 3 flats on the first floor. Residents have an electronic key fob which provides access to their block, the communal area and laundry. Residents have an individual key for their own front door. There is a dedicated storage area for mobility scooters. Gardens outside are well maintained and car parking is available (though not designated). Each flat is linked by remote buzzer, with video facility, from the entrance. Each resident has their own front door off a communal hallway or landing. The whole of the site is covered by CCTV for the safety and security of the residents. There is an emergency careline call connection in each flat along with a security pendant or wrist call button which covers the whole of the site. An Operations Manager is available on site (Monday to Wednesday) to deal with the day-to-day running of the flats and support for the residents. A programme of social activities is on offer that currently includes an exercise class, ukulele and singing group, a lunch club and regular outings to places of interest. A concessionary TV licence is arranged to cover all residents who qualify (i.e. over 60 years of age, working less than 15 hours per week)

The monthly maintenance charge (£525 per month April 2023) includes the cost of all heating and water. Residents are responsible for their own council tax, electricity and telephone charges