Residents praise Kingswood extra care
A new Housing 21 extra care scheme for older people in Kingswood has officially opened to residents. Guests were joined by Councillor Janet Biggin, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, who presented a commemorative plaque to the residents of Falcon Court. Representatives from Housing 21, South Gloucestershire Council and the Leadbitter Group also joined residents for the celebration on 29 November.
One of the first people to move in was Bob Clay with his wife Chris. Bob said: “Falcon Court has changed our lives. We are able to do things we couldn’t manage to do before and our lives have improved a thousand times for the better. We are really happy here.”
As well as providing 40 one and two bedroom rental apartments along with a range of communal facilities such as a hairdressing salon and R-Jays restaurant, Falcon Court is also home to a new Wellbeing Centre for people with dementia and learning disabilities, which is run by South Gloucestershire Council.
Simon Bostock, Regional Operations Director for Housing 21 said: “It’s a pleasure to join with the residents and staff at Falcon Court in celebrating the opening of this delightful scheme. In a very short space of time it has already become a very active social hub and a valuable asset to the local community.”
Cllr Matthew Riddle, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Adults and Housing Committee, added: “As well as providing 40 one and two bedroom rented flats for people aged 55 and over with a care and support need, Falcon Court offers a range of communal facilities to support independent living and wellbeing including a hairdressing salon, a restaurant, a TV lounge and rooms for relatives to stay over. Next door is home to a new Wellbeing Centre for people with dementia and learning disabilities, which is run by the council and has a multi-sensory room and a specially adapted kitchen for people to learn cookery skills.”
Russell Houghton, Business Development Director, of Leadbitter’s West and Wales Housing division, said: “We are very proud to have been involved in this project, which is the latest of many that we have developed on behalf of Housing 21. It is wonderful to see how this housing development has benefited the local community. We are sure its residents will continue to be very happy in their new homes.”
Following the official opening ceremony, invited guests will have the opportunity to look around the £6.7 million development, which received a £2.4 million investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Jay Lambe, HCA Area Manager, said: “Providing homes that meet the needs of older people is a crucially important part of what we do. It is a vital strand of our work to ensure our investment benefits all sections of society. This new scheme at Falcon Court is evidence of the impact our investment can make and it is great news for the local community that it is open for residents to enjoy.”
Extra care housing allows residents to live independently with 24-hour care and support tailored to individual need.
ENDS
Photograph: left to right Bob Clay, resident; Cllr Janet Biggin, Chair of South Glos. Council and Hollie (Horace) Summerlin, resident.
For further media 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 130,000 hours of care each week and manages around 19,000 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
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