WATCH THE INTERVIEWS
Almost exactly 12 months after taking the keys of the former care home at Thornaby’s Kirkdale site, Safe As Houses is delighted to announce the opening of new high quality accommodation, designed to enhance the lives of individuals who need extra support to increase their independence.
To meet the rising demands of the care sector, innovative thinking is required across the length and breadth of the UK. Kirkdale House is a prime example of collaboration in action to create a first class future-proofed environment.
Safe As Houses received full engagement from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the commissioning Local Authority throughout delivery of the project.
“We cannot speak highly enough of the efforts from SAH and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in delivering this much needed, high quality accommodation.
Completion could not have been possible without the close collaboration received by the Registered Provider - Care Housing Association, Care Provider - Community Integrated Care (CIC), Architects - Carless & Adams and Construction Partners - JWF Building Solutions.
Kirkdale House has been carefully designed to accommodate individuals with differing care needs such as Mental Health, Autism and Learning Difficulties.
23 self-contained 1 bedroom apartments promote and support independent living. Each contains a kitchen, living room, bedroom and wetroom. An intelligent electric heating system is fitted within each apartment, ensuring that they are future-proofed and sustainably fit for purpose.
Extensive grounds have been cleared, upgraded and given a new lease of life, whilst the secure internal courtyard offers a focal point. Private garden areas provide a sense of calm whilst off street parking and secure access enables visitors to easily see loved ones.
As with all Safe As Houses (SAH) developments, the finished product has been designed with the wellbeing and dignity of tenants placed at the forefront of the company's thinking.
Stuart Nicoll, Commercial Director at SAH said:
“We are thrilled to have brought this notable project to completion on time and on budget. Working, sometimes in fits and starts, throughout the pandemic has not been easy, but with the first class team involved, we have collectively risen to the challenge. Safe As Houses is proud to have played our part in delivering a truly sustainable solution to the benefit of those vulnerable individuals who deserve their dignity and our respect.”
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, added: “It’s really great to see Kirkdale House given a new lease of life. Bringing this building back into use will provide an excellent home for vulnerable adults with all the support and facilities they need to live independently for longer.
“There’s a real need for supported accommodation for people in the Borough with a range of complex needs including those with a learning disability, autism, and mental ill health. These apartments will give them greater choices to live healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. We look forward to seeing Kirkdale House occupied and wish it every success for the future.”
Laura Parker, Head of Operations at Community Integrated Care said: “As a care provider, we exist to deliver world-class support so that people with care needs can live the best lives possible. For the people we will support this accommodation will give them much-needed independence and enable them to be a greater part of their local community. Our charity is excited about strengthening our long-established relationship with Stockton social services and are proud to have partnered with Safe As Houses, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Care Housing Association to open Kirkdale House. Together, we are creating a person-centred environment for the future which will enable the people we support to live their best lives possible.”
Matthew Eddisford, Chief Executive, Care Housing Association spoke about the partnership between Safe As Houses and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council:
“We cannot speak highly enough of the efforts from SAH and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in delivering this much-needed, high-quality accommodation. We are confident this collaborative approach to delivering supported housing will provide really positive outcomes for our tenants, and we look forward to welcoming them to their new homes”
For more information on Kirkdale House, please contact [email protected]