NorseCare wins double bid to provide ‘high quality’ care and dementia support in Norfolk
Article By: Laura McCardle, News Editor
Elderly people in Norfolk are set to benefit from a new £4.2m housing with care scheme
The cash for the development, which will be built on the Three Score site in Bowthorpe, will be provided by the Home and Communities Agency (HCA) and the Department of Health, after Norwich City Council promised to provide the land free of charge.
The housing with care scheme will be made up of 78 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments with landscaped gardens and community facilities. NorseCare will work in partnership with Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and NPS Property Consultants to develop the scheme, which will provide “vital support” to elderly people in the area.
Colleen Walker, board member and county councillor, said: “NorseCare is committed to providing high quality care across the county and the hard work and funding that has gone into applying for these apartments is a great example of this.
“The development in Three Score will provide vital support for older people living in Norwich, as well as being a big boost to the local community. I’m confident that this new development will add to the excellent provision of care that NorseCare currently offer in Norfolk.”
Speaking about the decision to provide funding for the scheme, Andy Rose, HCA chief executive, said: “Housing plays a crucial role in helping older people and disabled adults to live independently as possible and, with an ageing population and changing demographics, investment in specialised housing is more important than ever.
“Government has committed significant investment and I am pleased that the HCA has made allocations for so many new high quality homes to be built, while delivering value for money for the taxpayer. This is core business for the HCA and the allocations announced today will make a real difference to people’s lives.”
NorseCare has also been awarded a £300,000 grant from the Dementia Friendly Environment Fund to build a specialist six-bed dementia facility at St Nicholas House in Dereham.
Both developments are expected to be completed next spring.
In addition, funding is also being provided for other Norfolk County Council commissioned facilities, where people with dementia receive support and care. Wells Community Hospital in Wells-next-to-the-sea and Manorcourt Day Care Centre in Griston will both receive grants to improve their facilities.
Speaking about the decision to improve dementia facilities, Sue Whitaker, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “With the numbers of people with dementia rising nationwide and set to increase further over the coming years, it’s vital that we provide them with the best possible care and support in Norfolk. So this funding is a timely boost to three of the dementia facilities that Norfolk County Council currently commissions and should help create a happy and caring environment in the homes that it affects.”
