A new housing scheme in Dinnington Village will provide housing for older people and those with dementia while at the same time honouring soldiers from the area who lost their lives in World War I.
Pictured above are Cllr Veronica Dunn in the stripy top front left, with members of Private Holmes’ family and Chair of Leazes Homes, Bill Midgley, in the centre.
Newcastle-based affordable housing provider Leazes Homes, in partnership with Newcastle City Council, are offering 32 properties for older people and five dementia friendly bungalows at Sheraton Park. This is a £27m, mixed-tenure development delivered in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat, which will also offer 133 homes for sale.
The homes for older people comprise of Hartley Court, a sheltered housing scheme managed by Your Homes Newcastle, four apartments and four older persons’ bungalows. An open day will be held at the development on Wednesday 27th September, and anyone interested in learning more about the new properties is welcome to visit any time between 11am and 2pm.
Leazes Homes is also providing five new, five-bedroomed bungalows for people with dementia, which will be managed by Dementia Care. The bungalows have a bespoke interior and exterior design, making them more comfortable for people with dementia.
They are also fitted with remote technology to link each bungalow to Dementia Care’s head office in nearby Brunswick Village, providing extra reassurance and enhancing the support given by the staff, who are always on site.
The streets on the new estate have been named after men from the village and surrounding area who died during World War I and who are named on the local war memorial.
The development is on Holmes Close, named after Private Robert Holmes (Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers), who was killed towards the end of the Battle of the Somme. Members of Private Holmes’ family joined veterans of the armed forces at the launch event.
The Retired Major, Graeme Heron, Vice President of the RRF Association of Northumberland, performed the emotive poem For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon, before a minute’s silence was observed in remembrance of all those who gave their lives in World War I.
Guests were then able to look around the properties, including the accommodation for those with dementia, where they could gain an understanding of how features such as wardrobes and chests of drawers with visible content, and protected grounds between the five bungalows, will allow those residents to feel safe and secure in and around their home.
Chair of Leazes Homes, Bill Midgley, said: “This is a fantastic mix of accommodation for older people in a really lovely, peaceful area. We’re very proud to have worked with Keepmoat to recognise the local men who lost their lives in the Great War and we know that honouring our fallen soldiers means a lot to the people living in the village, including Private Holmes’ family.
“We were keen for the new development to be an important addition to the local community, and a local lettings plan is in place that will give those living locally a higher chance of being able to rent one of our properties.
“The sheltered accommodation is exclusively for people over 55, and all homes are light and airy with excellent space standards and modern fixtures and fittings, all supported by a comprehensive sheltered housing service.
“The bungalows for people with dementia provide a sensitive, new approach, with each of the rooms in the bungalows occupied by different people, who are able to socialise with each other and move freely between the properties.
“We look forward to working with Your Homes Newcastle and Dementia Care to offer the best possible housing for our residents and fulfilling the desire of our partners at Newcastle City Council to provide a truly age friendly city.”
Councillor Veronica Dunn, Cabinet Member for Resources at Newcastle City Council, added: “This is a fantastic scheme that enables older people and those with dementia to live in homes that are safe, comfortable and secure while still being part of a vibrant community.
“We are committed to providing high quality inclusive housing that meets the needs of all Newcastle residents but we know we can’t do this on our own. By working in partnership we have been able to maximise resources to deliver a mix of new homes and create a new community that isn’t just aimed at families and young people but that is a great place for older people as well.”
Fraser Quin, Chief Executive at Dementia Care, commented: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Newcastle City Council on this project to provide care and facilities of the highest standard for those living with dementia.”
Lee Francis, Area Director in the North East for Keepmoat Regeneration, said: “As people are now living longer, we have a duty to ensure there is plenty of suitable housing provision for older people. Dinnington is a fantastic example of a bespoke development that has an array of different house types ranging from general needs and dementia friendly bungalows to contemporary and affordable flats and older persons’ apartments, which will enable older generations to have access to the care they require, while remaining in their communities for years to come.
“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating the launch of this project with the other partners, and honouring those who courageously fought for their country during World War I.”
