Courtyard Managers
"Not so much a Job, but More a Way of Life"
"It's the little things in life that make a difference". What puts The English Courtyard Association apart from any other such company are the Courtyard Managers - the "Good Neighbours". They are central to the English Courtyard Association philosophy, living as they do on site, and each couple's position is vital in providing security and caring response for residents on a 24 hour basis.
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They are very much part of the "courtyard community" and all have come from a variety of careers across a wide range of disciplines, many of which bring additional skills which are relevant to the role, the emphasis of which is on ensuring the welfare, happiness and satisfaction of our residents in a professional non-intrusive manner and to enable residents, as far as possible, to maintain their independent living. Like any good neighbour they will always assist residents with minor maintenance jobs, like changing lightbulbs, putting heavy things into lofts etc. As you will be moving into a different environment, the Courtyard Managers will be around to help your move go as smoothly as possible and then spend time with you in the days afterwards going through courtyard life, helping you come to grips with the unfamiliar kitchen appliances, welcoming you to your new home, introducing you to neighbours and answering any queries or worries you may have. On the management side of courtyard life they run the courtyard office which is normally open from 9 to 10.30 a.m. on weekdays. This is a time when residents can book the guest suite, keep them informed of going away dates and discuss any courtyard issues or concerns. This time is also used to carry out routine courtyard paperwork, write reports and deal with the day-to-day finance of budgets. However Courtyard Managers are available to residents between the hours of 9 am to 5pm and after that time for emergencies. One of the fundamental services offered by ECA is the provision of the emergency alarm system. This is monitored via a lifeline module from your home to the Courtyard mobile phone carried by the on call Manager at all times. This allows assistance to be summoned immediately in an emergency. |
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Health and safety legislation restricts our Managers from carrying out more than basic first aid and they are never permitted to administer any form of medication, not even an aspirin. Although they are not ‘hands on carers’ they will always help you to find outside help should you need it. Obviously they will never leave a resident in a vulnerable position but they can only provide emergency assistance in the short term whilst they arrange and wait for qualified, or family, help to arrive. They will always have a ‘listening ear’ for any worries, concerns, or complaints, or for just a chat, but a residents' privacy will be respected at all times. Courtyard Managers are also responsible for the general maintenance of the courtyard, either personally or using contractors from whom competitive estimates are obtained. The Managers are also responsible for the security of the courtyard as a whole and residents can go away on holiday safe in the knowledge that their home is having a watchful eye kept upon it. They are "the face of the English Courtyard Association - ECA Ambassadors". They greet, supply information - or will arrange for it to be supplied - and show round their development all visitors interested in purchasing properties or wishing to know more about the Association. When on their days off or holidays the primary duties – such as office cover and the monitoring of the alarm system are covered by a relief manager who would provide cover mainly from their own home – returning to the courtyard at intervals. It is a condition of their employment that any emergency call is responded to within 10 minutes. |
"A word of appreciation. Paths here are clear and safe after Mr and Mrs Stewart continue to clear the snow – even on their day off. A first class pair, ever conscientious and helpful… if all your on-site managers act with the same dedication as ours they are indeed the “jewels in the crown” for the Association."
The most recently built Courtyards have minibuses. These are normally driven by Courtyard Managers, and primarily used for shopping trips but may also be used, by arrangement with the Courtyard Managers for other trips too.
With the exception of our smallest develoment at Hasells Courtyard, each courtyard has a guest room. This facility for residents can almost be regarded as an optional spare bedroom. It allows residents the opportunity to have visitors to stay but without the burden of having to prepare a room or do the laundry. In order to be fair to other residents the guest room can only be booked for a maximum of 5 consecutive nights and not more than 8 weeks in advance. Should it be needed for a relief manger from another courtyard to cover the scheme, as can occur when Courtyard Managers either go on holiday or leave and there is a time lapse before the arrival of the new managers, then this would take priority over residents' bookings. There is a nominal charge for the guest room that goes into the budget to cover the running costs.
A final but extremely important part of the Courtyard Managers' duties is the maintenance of the grounds to the high standard expected by the Association. This work is overseen by our two Landscape Managers, who visit all developments on a regular basis and are there to advise and assist them. The Managers are only responsible for the patio gardens of residents’ demised properties as and when residents have vacated their property and their property is available for sale through the Association.