Housing with Care scheme up for national award

Posted on: Thursday, January 26, 2023

Broadleaves Housing with Care scheme in Boughton has been nominated for a national award for the best large social housing development at the LABC Building Excellence Awards.

Already the scheme has scooped up the prestigious East Midlands award and has now been shortlisted against other schemes across the country, with the winner being announced at an awards ceremony in London on Friday 27 January.

Broadleaves officially opened on Friday 5 November 2021, and since then has been providing excellent care to people over the age of 60. It’s the fourth ‘housing with care’ scheme to be opened by Newark and Sherwood District Council and the state-of-the-art facility has 30 spacious and accessible apartments designed to help and support those who are living there in their futures, with features including wet rooms and wider doorways.

20 of the apartments have been designated for people with daily care needs. An on-site care team provides support to these residents and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each apartment has an under-floor heating system, a modern kitchen with fitted cooker and is linked to the District Council’s care line system, reassuring residents that they will be able to easily seek emergency assistance at any time of the day or night. There are also 10 two-bedroom bungalows on the site with the same features.

All residents have access to communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry room, guest room, a TV lounge and hairdressing salon. There is also a commercial kitchen with cooks employed to offer home cooked and tasty lunches.

Councillor Tim Wendels, Portfolio Holder for Homes and Health at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: Broadleaves is a scheme I’m immensely proud of and to see it nominated for a national award is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by our teams.

“The site continues to provide excellent care to our residents and is designed to meet their future needs.

“The district has an ageing population evidenced through our housing register which is a key influence in terms of the housing that we are providing.

“Each apartment provides residents with a wide range of facilities and amenities which allows them to live safely and comfortably along with 24/7 support should they need it.”

Mr Steven Bend of Flat 3, said: “I was very worried when I moved to Broadleaves. I had lived with my mum for 23 years and didn’t think I would be able to manage on my own. I am very pleased that I did. I am closer to my family and everyone here is very friendly. I feel happy and settled and I have support from staff if I am worried about anything”.

Mrs Ann Moran of Flat 16 and Mrs Sheila Cooke of Bungalow 38, said: “Broadleaves is a great place to live. It offers privacy when needed and at the same time the opportunity to have company if wanted. The staff are very helpful and approachable, and we know that any problems are always resolved. We are very happy living here.”