WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols was so impressed with an Extra Care housing development in her constituency she would have been happy to move in herself, if eligible.
The MP visited Torus Group’s recently opened Harpers Green Extra Care scheme in Warrington where she had the opportunity to meet with staff and residents and see the facilities and support available on site.
The £11 million development, located in Padgate, opened in December 2020 and offers 97 one and two-bedroom apartments for over 55s, with care provided by national, Warrington-based charity, Making Space, and funded by Warrington Borough Council.
Residents were able to share their experiences of living in Extra Care accommodation while staff spoke with the MP about the independent living model of housing.
Extra Care schemes, such as Harpers Green, provide residents with their own private, modern apartment, where residents can retain their independence but have the peace of mind that flexible onsite care is available if and when it’s needed. They also offer a range of communal areas and gardens plus facilities open to the community, such as hair salons and bistros where residents can meet and relax with others.
Charlotte said: “As soon as I pulled into the car park at Harpers Green, I was impressed. It was obvious that there had been care and attention to detail at every level and it was designed in a thoughtful way, offering a calm, bright, modern and inviting place to live for all the residents.
“Harpers Green is more than just a building it is a real community. And speaking to the residents they obviously agreed. Telling me how the staff ensured they have felt safe and secure when they moved in and all about all the activities that were available to help build the community and help with their health and wellbeing. They were looking forward to more activities and developing their own social group once Covid restriction allowed.
“Extra Care schemes, like Harpers Green, provide residents with the opportunity to maximise their independence, whilst being realistic about the aging population and the increase in care needs. It offers people the option of a home for life, with care and support that develops with their needs.
“The positive feeling of the whole scheme was tangible. I would be more than happy for my relatives to live at Harpers Green, in fact, I would even be happy to move in myself, if I was eligible.
“To complete the build to such a high standard, open and to move people in safely during Covid is an impressive achievement for Torus.”
Harpers Green also boasts a newly restored bowling green, which is being run by Longbarn Bowling Club. As well as Torus’ charitable arm, Torus Foundation, providing a wide range of health and wellbeing activities for adults, with the housing team from Torus Support Network, providing day-to-day tenancy support, including help with benefits, managing money, accessing additional care.
Resident Carole Edisbury, who moved to Harpers Green after the loss of her husband, relocating from her home of 30 years in Wythenshawe where she felt isolated so she could be closer to her daughter who lives across from the scheme, said: “Moving from my own home into the scheme was an upheaval, made even harder by Covid. But the staff and other residents have helped me adjust and settle in. I enjoy taking part in all the activities, I no longer feel isolated, as I am now part of a lovely new community.”
Resident, Pete Saunders, who moved in to increase his independence following a long recovery from a stroke, added; “Harpers Green is all about community. Whilst we all have our own apartments, it’s nice that we have the opportunity to get together, to have fun and support each other. We are looking to do lots more activities as Covid restrictions continue to lift.”
Apartments at Harpers Green are available for affordable rent or sale through shared ownership.
Gill Healey, Torus Managing Director Housing, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ms Nichols to Harpers Green.
It is important that we continue to provide high-quality, modern homes with the right care and support for people in their own home, so they can live as independently as possible.
“It’s great to see the residents settling in and communities start to form and friendships grow. Our Extra Care developments make a real impact in changing lives.”
Communal areas and gardens are maintained and managed by specialist contractor, HMS. Alison Brown, Maintenance Director at HMS, continued: “It’s fantastic to see how the hard work our team does to maintain the standard of this impressive scheme positively impacts the people who live here. Our team work day in, day out, to keep Harpers Green looking as good as it did on opening day. I am pleased to see that now restrictions are lifting, people are able to enjoy to wonderful communal spaces.”
