Future of Extra Care in Cannock Secured by £4 million Funding

The future of adult care in Cannock has taken a great leap forward with the announcement that £4 million funding has been secured.

The money from the Housing Corporation has ensured the go-ahead for an £8.5 million flagship Extra Care development at Lakeside Park.

The project is being developed by Staffordshire County Council and partners Central Borders Housing Group, Cannock Chase District Council and South Staffordshire PCT.

Extra Care housing enables people aged 55 and over to live in their own apartment with the added security of CCTV, door entry systems and for those that need it, staff on site 24 hours a day to provide support and personal care.  

The Lakeside scheme will include 83 apartments, of which 58 will be available for rent and 25 to purchase via shared ownership. There will also be two communal lounges, a dining area, hairdressing salon and sensory garden. 

Central Borders Housing Group will be developing the site and the completed scheme will be managed by South Staffordshire Housing Association, the founding member of the group.

County Councillor Susan Woodward, county council Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People said: “We have had to make some tough decisions about how we provide services in Staffordshire to make ourselves fit for the future.  The Lakeside scheme will allow us to start realising our plans and delivering on the promises we have made.  

“We are currently working to develop a number of Extra Care schemes throughout Staffordshire – some smaller-scale schemes are already in operation whilst others which are on a much larger scale are either being built or are in development.  These are exciting times for adult social care.”

Cannock Town Centre County Councillor Dennis Dixon said: “This Extra Care development will make a real difference to the provision of care and support that older people living in the Cannock area receive.”

Cllr Ann Bernard, Housing Leader for Cannock Chase Council said: “As a District Council we are constantly looking to provide top class housing facilities for Cannock Chase residents.  By working in partnership we will be seeing the first Extra Care flag ship scheme of this nature in Cannock Chase.  The scheme will make a significant improvement to the provision of care and support that is available to older people living within the Cannock Chase District and increase the housing options available to them.”

Ursula Bennion, Group Director of Business Development at CBHG said: “We are delighted to be able to work with Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Chase District Council to deliver good quality affordable housing for older people.”

And Sue Rowley, Managing Director of South Staffordshire Housing Association, added: “The proportion of people aged over 65 is set to rise to nearly 20 per cent by 2012 and the incidence of dementia is rising too.  It is expected that by 2025 there will be more than a million people with dementia in the UK. Affordable homes for older people are much-needed and the capacity to integrate specialist dementia care will make this flagship development a key resource for the local community. We are proud to be involved with this project.”

Commenting on the investment, Rob Kilby, Investment Manager at the Housing Corporation says: “Lakeside is an exciting and important development that will revolutionise adult care in Cannock.  The benefits of Lakeside will be felt by hundreds of families in the area and this is why it is so important for the Housing Corporation to provide almost £4m of funding.”

(Released 14th August 2008.)

Hednesford Lass is Worthy Award Winner

Di Wallace from Hednesford is a winner with her colleagues – having just scooped Central Borders Housing Group’s employee of the year award.

Di, a customer services officer with South Staffordshire Housing Association, part of the Central Borders Housing Group, triumphed over six other nominations to become the outright winner.

Di couldn’t believe the news.  She said: “To win any award is lovely, to win one, nominated by the people you work with is even better. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement and it’s taken a few days to come down to earth!”

Debbie Griffiths, group chief executive, said:  “Di is a customer champion and always strives to give the best possible service. She is outstandingly friendly and trustworthy. She is passionate about any task given and is always willing to learn.”

As part of the prize, the winner gets to choose a charity that will benefit from a series of fundraising events throughout the year. Di has nominated the Staffordshire Air Ambulance to benefit from this year’s work. She said. “It was a difficult choice as there are so many worthy charities, but I decided that the Staffordshire Air Ambulance is a fantastic local service that is always in need of funds.” 

(Released 20th August 2008.)