Housing 21 News

Extra care contract awarded

Housing 21 has been appointed as the single provider of care and support services across all the extra care schemes in Cheshire.

Under the terms of the contract, which will begin in May of this year, Housing 21 will provide around 3500 hours of care each week to six schemes providing Extra Care for older people.

These schemes include five new extra care developments which are being provided under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) through the Avantage consortium in partnership with Cheshire County Council. The new schemes are being built at sites in Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Handforth, Middlewich and Winsford. The sixth site within the contract is a Wulvern Housing scheme in Nantwich.

Each development will have 24 hour on-site support teams with the aim of maximising residents' independence. As well as providing support to residents, the teams will also be able to provide outreach care and support to the wider local community.

Commenting on the successful bid, Mary Bryce, Head of Extra Care for Housing 21 said: "This is very exciting news and we are pleased to be working in partnership with Cheshire County Council, the Avantage consortium and Wulvern Housing."

Sheelagh Connolly, County Manager for Community Care Services for Older People with Cheshire County Council said: "The appointment of Housing 21 is another big step towards making Extra Care housing a reality for older people in Cheshire. Between Housing 21, Avantage and Wulvern Housing we have a really strong team to develop and provide first class services."