MP joins celebrations as new Extra Care scheme opens

Published by 792 for Housing 21 in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Residents at a new Extra Care housing scheme for older people had a visit from Wallasey MP and shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Angela Eagle last week.  Willow Bank in Wallasey held its official opening and Ms Eagle joined Councillor Alan Jennings, the Mayor of Wirral for the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the residents. Children from nearby Park Primary School also attended and sang for the residents and guests.

The £8.7 million scheme of 70 homes welcomed its first residents in October and is the first of two new Housing 21 developments in Wirral designed to enable older people to live independently in their own homes.

Receiving the plaque on behalf of the residents was Mrs Mary Maley, one of the first residents to move in, who said: “Willow Bank is a beautiful place. It is quite unique. I think congratulations should go to the architect and all who helped build it as well as special thanks to all those who work at Willow Bank for their hard work.”

Tayo Bilewu, director of development and new business for Housing 21, said: “Willow Bank is an excellent example of how older people’s housing and care can be transformed.  We are delighted to have worked with Wirral Council in the provision of this further extra care facility which will bring huge benefits, both to residents and to the local community.”

Said Cllr Bob Moon, Wirral’s cabinet member for social care and inclusion: “We are delighted to have worked with Housing 21 on this scheme. Extra care housing offers another choice of housing for older people to support independent living and at Willow Bank.  They have created an exciting scheme, in an excellent location, that is really engaging with the local community. It demonstrates how partnerships like this can help to transform an area, create a better environment and bring people together.

“I also have to make a special mention of Best Bites café, a catering service working in partnership with Willow Bank, which opened last year and is about to expand due to high demand. It is a day services initiative, run by people who use services, and has gone from strength to strength. It provides real employment and volunteering opportunities for people, and I’m delighted to see them here today,” he added.

The scheme has being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with Wirral Council and Cruden Construction, with £4.36 million investment secured from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Deborah McLaughlin, executive director North West at the HCA said: “We worked closely with Wirral Council to understand their local housing needs. It is great that this important extra care scheme is now complete, providing a really valuable range of services for residents.”

Built on the site of the former Manor Trust building, Willow Bank consists of 43 two bedroom apartments, eight one bedroom apartments and 19 two bedroom bungalows for rent and shared ownership.  Communal on-site facilities include a lounge, restaurant, shop, hairdressing salon, activity room, assisted bathroom and landscaped gardens.

Alan Davies, managing director for Cruden Construction said: “Cruden Construction has been a partner contractor to Housing 21 for over six years delivering five high quality extra care facilities in the North West. Willow Bank is no exception to the high quality delivered through partnership with Housing 21 and this outstanding quality was recently recognised in its nomination for the 2011 North West Building Excellence Awards”

The second of the brand new extra care schemes is Mendell Court in Bromborough which will complete later this month. Housing 21 also has two further extra care schemes in the borough with Harvest Court in Moreton and Granville Court in Wallasey.