Official opening for Doncaster extra care
A new housing scheme in Doncaster was celebrated this week. Representatives from Housing 21, Doncaster Borough Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and Keepmoat got together with the residents of Rokeby Gardens in Kirk Sandall to mark the official opening of the extra care development for older people. The Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, was also there to present residents with a commemorative plaque.
Residents started moving in to Rokeby Gardens in January. They benefit from on-site facilities including a residents’ lounge, restaurant, activity rooms, assisted bathroom, laundry room and landscaped gardens. The apartments boast individually controlled under floor heating, level access wet-room showers and a security entry system with intercom.
Victoria Barclay, regional services director for Housing 21 said: “It is lovely to see how the residents have settled in. Rokeby Gardens is a delightful scheme that provides high quality accommodation and good facilities. Most importantly, residents are able to enjoy independent living with the security of 24 hour on-site care and support tailored to individual needs.”
Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said: “More affordable housing, providing better services for an ageing population and investing in Doncaster's communities are three of my priorities so it’s great to see various council departments working jointly with our partners, NHS Doncaster and Housing 21 as well the local community, to deliver a state of the art affordable housing scheme for older people.
“This scheme replaces an out-of-date sheltered housing scheme which had shared bathrooms for its residents and once residents had moved out, it became a magnet for anti-social behaviour and wider nuisances.”
The £5.6 million development, which has received £2.7 million of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), provides 52 two bedroom apartments which are available to rent or buy on a shared ownership basis. The scheme was built on the site of a previously out-dated sheltered housing scheme.
Lisa Jones, Area manager at the Homes and Communities Agency said: “I am very pleased to see how our investment of £2.7 million will help transform the lives of local residents. These 52 apartments will offer older people the opportunity to not only stay in their local community but also to live independently.”
Martin Smithurst, managing director at community regeneration specialist Keepmoat, said: “We have enjoyed working in partnership to help build and deliver this state-of-the-art scheme. Extra care represents the future of housing and care for older people. Rokeby Gardens will allow residents to maintain their independence in a secure environment, within a strong community supported by a host of excellent facilities.”
Housing 21 has recently commenced work on its third extra care housing scheme In Doncaster, working in partnership with Keepmoat.again. Further information on the new scheme in Edlington can be obtained from Philip Hayton, Development Programme Officer on 0370 192 4000.
ENDS
Photograph: Left to right (Back) Victoria Barclay, Regional Operations Director, Housing 21; Tayo Bilewu, Director of Property, Housing 21. (Front) Peter Davies, the Mayor of Doncaster; Edgar Halstead, Dora Wattam, Frederick Stanley (residents).
For further information, please contact Wendy Gornicki, PR & Information Officer, Housing 21 on 0370 192 4338 or email wendy.gornicki@housing21.co.uk
Housing 21’s mission is to promote independence and choice for older people through quality care, health and housing services. It provides around 131,000 hours of care each week and manages 18,700 sheltered and extra care apartments, providing services to more than 31,000 service users.
Keep up to date with Housing 21 at www.facebook.com/housing21.co.uk or via our website www.housing21.co.uk, or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Housing21news
