Oakmere, the first development of avantage’s five Extra Care projects, officially launched this week, as the foundations were laid for 53 new apartments in Handforth.
The Oakmere development represents the first 53 extra care apartments of a planned 430 for the over-60s across the Cheshire. Each development includes self-contained apartments, 24 hour on-call staff, a hair salon, library, computer suite, village hall and restaurant.
Extra Care Housing provides additional support to people living in their own homes, the level of which can be adapted as their needs change. This flexible approach to care enables the right level of care to be offered to individuals, giving them the opportunity to remain independent for longer.
avantage was selected by Cheshire County Council to design, build and operate the Extra Care apartments in Handforth, Ellesmere Port, Middlewich, Winsford and Crew. It is a consortium made up of the Harvest Housing Group, the MJ Gleeson Group and Nationwide Building Society.
Commenting on the Oakmere development, Kathy Cowell, Chair of Harvest Housing Group said: “Oakmere will have a combination of properties to rent, buy and part-buy in a safe and secure environment. Each site will offer a range of social, cultural and physical activities for older people within the local community, whilst also providing a central point to access services. The number one objective of avantage is to help older people remain as independent for as long as possible, maintaining a high quality of living well into their old age. Oakmere will be the first development completed and we look forward to showing potential residents around.”
Sheelagh Connolly, County Manager for Older People’s Services, Cheshire County Council. Said:
“These schemes will revolutionise the way in which we support our older citizens. Each development will provide not only a home but one in a real community environment where people will have access to a broad range of amenities and care and support services that will help to maintain their independence in the manner of their choice.”