A new extra care scheme for older people in Richmond, North
Yorkshire was officially opened last week by British Foreign
Secretary and local MP, the Rt. Hon. William Hague.
Mr Hague was joined by residents and guests at
Greyfriars, a £6.2 million development providing 39 two bedroom
apartments in Lile Close. The apartments at Greyfriars are designed
for independent living with an on-site team providing 24 hour care
and support.
Commenting on the scheme, William Hague said:
“I congratulate all involved on bringing about the transformation
into Greyfriars. Extra care is, of course, the way to go. It
enables people to be able to combine having their own place, and
the independence that brings, with also being able to be close to
their neighbours and to whatever assistance they require.”
Many of the new residents have lived locally
for many years, including 80 year old Margaret Rutcroft, who was a
driving instructor in Richmond for more than 30 years. Margaret
moved into Greyfriars in September from a cold and damp cottage. “I
was starting to wonder what would happen if I was taken ill,” she
says, “Here, if you have a fall or an accident you can press a
button and they will come to you. You are being looked after, but
you still have your independence. You still have your own front
door and it is your own little home.”
The scheme, which provides opportunities to
rent or purchase on a shared ownership basis, was developed through
a partnership between North Yorkshire County
Council, Housing 21, Richmondshire District Council, the
Homes and Communities Agency and builders Frank Haslam Milan North
East.
Representatives of the project partners showed
Mr Hague the impressive on-site facilities. These include a
restaurant, hairdressing salon, assisted bathroom, sensory room,
guest suite and community resource room offering services for
learning disabled adults. The restaurant, known as The Franciscan,
is operated by social enterprise, the Avalon Group, and has created
a number of local job opportunities.
One of the regular users of the on-site
facilities is resident, Sandra Bradshaw (aged 70) who lives at
Greyfriars with her 78 year old husband. She said: “We are pleased
we have made this move for the future. We are happy here. It’s the
best thing we have done.”
Extra care has proved an innovative and highly
successful solution in North Yorkshire to supporting the needs of
older people while enabling them to live in a home of their own.
Extra care also enables couples to stay together and have their
families to stay. Indeed for some who have moved from residential
care homes, extra care has marked an improvement in their
independent living skills.
Victoria Barclay, regional director for
Housing 21 said: “We’re absolutely delighted that William Hague was
able to join residents and staff in the official opening of
Greyfriars. We’re very proud of this thriving scheme, which has
been built to very high standards. It brings tremendous benefits to
the people of Richmond, offering a variety of services to residents
and the wider local community.”
To date the county council has invested £12.6
million in 15 Extra Care schemes from Scarborough to Stokesley,
Ripon and Bainbridge down to Selby with four more in the process of
development.
County councillor Clare Wood, North
Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Health and Adult Services said:
“This is a wonderful moment for the Greyfriars’ community - the
culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of staff and partners
who are dedicated to extra care and all the benefits it provides
for older people. What we are doing at Greyfriars – and
indeed across North Yorkshire – is cited by government, care
agencies, and the voluntary sector as the way we should all be
progressing in the field of social care. When people need to
be cared for, that care should be provided for them in homes of
their own, so that they can lead independent lives as far as
possible in their local community.”
Richmondshire District Council Spokesperson
for Housing, Councillor Peter Wood added: “Greyfriars represents
another milestone in the Council’s delivery of excellent quality,
affordable housing in the district. It has shown, again, how close
working between the key partners and the support of local
communities is essential in delivering good quality housing. We
should also say a special thank you to the previous residents of
Lile Close, without whose agreement and support this housing
development would not have been possible.”
Steve McCoy, Managing Director of FHM North
East, said: “The housing needs of older people are changing and
this innovative scheme reflects those changes. Greyfriars offers a
real alternative to traditional approaches, providing independent,
safe and secure housing with the extra facilities and activities
that the new generation of older tenants are looking for. We are
delighted to have been involved in this project and wish all the
residents well in their new homes.”
David Curtis. Executive Director at the Homes
and Communities Agency said: “It is great to be here to-day to see
what our partners have achieved - these apartments are a great
place for local people to live. Our investment of £2m has meant
that elderly people have been provided with an excellent choice of
homes that will meet their needs.
“The quality of design, not just in the
individual apartments but also in the shared areas is amazing and
has meant that a new facility is being provided that is not only
ideal for the residents but also is in keeping with the
architecture of this historic town.”