Older People’s Housing With Care Scheme first for Tolent and Abbeyfield on Wearside

From left, Abbeyfield North Division Manager Jacquelene Notman; Sunderland City Council Silksworth Ward, Councillor Peter Gibson; Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care, Councillor Graeme Miller, Tolent Construction Manager Ian Pratt; Sunderland City Council Head of Housing Support and Community Living, Alan Caddick

Work has started on a new and exciting multi-million pound housing and care development for older people in Sunderland.

Once complete the purpose-built scheme will provide full-time independent living with care facilities for 75 residents and create 80 new jobs.

The £10m facility is the brainchild of older people’s charity Abbeyfield, and is set to be one of the UK-based organisation’s largest projects of its kind.

Abbeyfield is working in partnership with Sunderland City Council and building contractor, Tolent Construction, on the facility overlooking the Tunstall Hills.

The three-storey home, Abbeyfield’s first on Wearside - is expected to begin welcoming residents in early 2018.

It will provide 75 one and two bedroom flats offering independent living for older people at affordable rents, as well as additional care services via 24-hour, tailor made staff support.

The jobs being created will be wide-ranging and will include maintenance, chefs, front-of-house and care staff. Recruitment will begin later this year.

The high profile building scheme is being financed by both Abbeyfield and the Homes and Communities Agency, the national housing and regeneration body for England that helps to fund affordable accommodation.

Jacquelene Notman, Abbeyfield’s project lead on the Silksworth development, said it represented a significant investment by the charity.

“This is the first time Abbeyfield has undertaken a 75-unit scheme in a location which is new to us.

“As a charity we are governed by need, and this is a real opportunity for us to offer older people living in and around the Sunderland area an exciting new facility which combines Abbeyfield’s ethos of providing the best service of care and housing, and to be a champion for older people in the community.

“Abbeyfield is a charity dedicated to making the lives of older people easier and more fulfilling, while enabling them to live their lives as independently as they wish with the safety net of a caring environment.

“Silksworth is an important development for Abbeyfield that will provide older people with the ability to live independently, while enjoying the security and confidence of knowing additional round-the-clock support and care is on hand if needed, all in an attractive, modern, purpose-built environment.”

Mrs Notman said: “Not only will Silksworth provide a good quality of life for residents who will be able to live and thrive within their own community, it will also be an important asset that those living locally can share in.”

The new facility will also include communal lounge areas that neighbours will be welcome to visit, as well as a relaxation centre created with money from The Hospitals Saturday Fund, where residents will be able to indulge in a range of beauty and holistic treatments and have access to a professional hair salon.

David Thompson, Tolent’s Regional Director, Tyneside, said: “Tolent are really pleased to be working on our first project with Abbeyfield on these 75 purpose built apartments in Silksworth on what is a much-needed, new independent living with care facility for older people, in Wearside.

“Construction is progressing well and we look forward to completing the development in winter 2017.”