We have a small team of permanent staff, including a General Manager, General Assistant, Wardens, and a Cleaner/Relief Warden, who oversee the day-to-day management of the organisation. The team is available to assist residents and can signpost them to relevant support organisations when required.

Emergency assistance is available at all times through the Amphora Homes Helpline, to which all residents are connected. This service provides 24-hour support throughout the year.

Living in sheltered accommodation offers many advantages. Heating, lighting, and water costs are included in the rent, which is paid monthly by standing order. Residents have their own front door and can enjoy a completely independent lifestyle.

In addition, residents have the opportunity to socialise and make friends with others living in the courts. Communal lounges are available at both courts, where regular coffee mornings and some social events are held. There is no need to feel isolated, however residents are equally free to enjoy complete privacy and independence within their own flats if they prefer.

Depending on income and savings, residents may be eligible to apply for Housing Benefit. Advice on claiming this benefit, along with further information, can be obtained by contacting Colchester City Council.

We allocate our properties in line with our Allocations Policy (View Here). When a property becomes available, applicants living on Mersea Island will be contacted in order of their effective application date, with priority given to those who have been waiting the longest. If an applicant declines the accommodation, the property will be offered to the next eligible on-island applicant until it is accepted or the waiting list has been exhausted.

If there are no suitable on-island applicants, or if all eligible applicants decline the offer, the property will then be offered to applicants living off the island who have a local connection to Mersea Island. These applicants will also be contacted in order of their effective application date. If an applicant declines the accommodation, the property will be offered to the next eligible applicant until it is accepted or the list has been exhausted.

Should the property remain vacant after these steps have been completed, applications from individuals living off the island without a local connection will be considered.

An application form is available on this website here.

If you wish to visit the Trusts Properties or would like more information, please complete the contact form, or telephone the office which is situated at Akhurst Court. We will be happy to help you.