St Scholastica's Retreat
Resident Flats
Set in the Buckinghamshire market town of Princes Risborough, St. Scholastica's Retreat consists of 36 self-contained flats on ground and first floors, accommodated in 10 detached houses of two or four flats, each flat having its own private front door entrance to the street.
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In addition there is a Warden's house and a Community Building which includes a Guest Suite for residents to use for their short stay visitors.
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Each flat comprises a living room, double bedroom, kitchen and a bathroom with shower. Outside, the flats have their own bin store and back onto Communal Gardens which are maintained by the Trust.
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Click on photos to enlarge view
Lord William Taylour Building
Opened on 5th July 1995, the Lord William Taylour Building contains a Community Room, Kitchen, Laundry and Guest Room.
The Community Room
The Retreat is not a residential home where entertainment is ‘laid on’. It’s one of the strengths, and no doubt attractions, of The Retreat that you are not expected to ‘join in’ for the sake of joining in with anything that may be going on. Nevertheless, the Community Room is there to provide a place where residents can meet as equals and enjoy one another’s company if they so wish. To that end the Community Room should be seen as an extension of your private living room: as part of your home that you share with your fellow residents and, similarly, part of their home that they share with you.
The Laundry
The laundry is available to all residents. The Warden regulates its use, and the times at which it may be used. A ‘Timetable’ is displayed in the laundry with allocated slots for those who wish to use the laundry on a regular basis.
The Guest Room
The guest room may be available for a relative or friend visiting residents for a short period (normally up to seven days).
Gardens
The garden has been laid out for the use and benefit of all residents. However, most properties have adjacent areas which although not exclusive, nevertheless residents maintain themselves. The major work of grass cutting is the Charity’s responsibility.
Cleaning
Residents are responsible for keeping their flats clean and for cleaning the inside of the windows of their flat. A window cleaner is employed who cleans the outside of all windows.
Cleaning of the Lord William Taylour Building is also arranged by the Trustees.
Residents pay a monthly maintenance contribution (at present £617.47 per month - 2025). Residents also pay their own electricity (there is no gas supply), phone bills and council tax (Buckinghamshire County Council - 2024/25: £1,200 approx. less 25% for single occupancy). The Maintenance Contribution and Council Tax may both qualify for Housing Benefit if the applicant meets the relevant conditions.
Both the Warden and Deputy Warden live on site and one of them is on call 24 hours a day. Each flat has an emergency call button which is connected to whichever of them is on duty.