Extra Care housing comes to Wirral thanks to £3 million from Department of Health » Health » 24dash.com

A pioneering housing initiative that will provide older people in Wirral with the support they need to live independently has been awarded nearly £3 million by the Department of Health.

The ‘extra care’ housing scheme will be based on the site formerly occupied by the Mendell Lodge Residential Home in Bromborough.

The scheme will be owned and managed by Housing 21 in partnership with two of Wirral Council’s Departments; Adult Social Services and Regeneration along with Wirral’s Primary Care Trust.

The scheme will comprise 49 flats, 33 double and 16 single. It will complement three already in existence in other parts of Wirral and one currently under development.

The scheme is intended to enable residents to live independently. It will ensure residents receive services that meet their individual health, housing and care needs in the community.

In addition to providing residents with comfortable accommodation, the scheme will also offer many other amenities including communal lounges and activity rooms, restaurant and café, hairdressers, shop, laundry, IT suite,
meeting rooms, healthy living suite and a therapy room.
 
Relationships will also be developed with the wider community. This means the facilities will be available to people who live nearby as well as those who live in the ‘extra care’ scheme. For instance, people will be able to drop into the scheme to use the shop, the internet suite, have a meal in the restaurant, visit the hairdressing salon or join in a social event. 

These links mean residents feel they are truly part of the local community and will help to achieve best value from the scheme. They enhance the vibrant atmosphere on the scheme and give residents opportunities to meet new people and gain new experiences.

To ensure residents feel secure with the local community having access to the scheme’s amenities, the majority of communal areas are clustered around the main entrance on the ground floor. Privacy doors are fitted to the areas where residents live, requiring a key fob for access which will protect their privacy and security.

Councillor Moira McLaughlin, Wirral Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Inclusion said: “This is yet another example of how services for older people in Wirral are being developed and modernised.

"We have involved prospective residents and the local community from the outset to ensure that the facilities and services available respond to the very specific needs of the older people in the locality. That way, it is more likely that people will take advantage of the amenities and benefit from them.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved in putting the bid together.”

Dianne Darling, Development Programme Manager for Housing 21, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wirral Council on this very exciting project.

"It will be a valuable resource for the local community as well as providing homes specifically designed to meet the needs of older people.”