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Deputy Mayor launches Washington housing scheme

WASHINGTON’S first ‘Extra Care’ housing scheme for older people has been officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Sunderland City Council.

Developed by Housing 21 on a former care home site, the £5.5M Woodridge Gardens scheme features 39 purpose-built apartments with 24-hour care and support services on hand for residents.

The project, designed for people over 55, has a range of facilities including a restaurant, activity room, hair salon and landscaped gardens open both to residents and the local community.

Coun Wright said: “The facilities at Woodridge Gardens are fantastic and it’s no wonder the residents enjoy it so much. I was here when the building was just a shell so to see the transformation now is amazing.

“The staff on hand to provide care do a tremendous job and Woodridge Gardens has a real community feel to it. This is testament to the staff, the residents and the close working relationship between the council, Housing 21 and FHM.”

The scheme was developed by Housing 21 in partnership with Sunderland City Council and Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, with £1m in funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Alan Davies, investment and regeneration manager for the Homes and Communities Agency said: “Woodridge Gardens is about independence - having support services at hand but keeping your privacy.

“Our role is to help councils like Sunderland and housing providers like Housing 21 to make things happen in their own communities, and this scheme is a great example of that approach in action.”

Woodridge Gardens is the third extra care scheme to be opened in the Sunderland area, following earlier schemes in Silksworth and Hetton Le Hole.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .