Brighton & Hove City Council became a partner in a new European Union project aimed at improving the quality of life of older people. The project is looking at housing for older people across the UK and Europe, including Brighton & Hove's New Larchwood development, to identify design features that contribute most to an improved quality of life.
The Wel-hops (Welfare Housing Policies for Older People) project is a European Union part-funded scheme that recognises the population of older people is growing quickly, particularly the population of those aged 85 and older.
A guide, based on good practice, will be published next year and could be used to help design any future schemes. The Council's Chair of Housing and member of the Regional Housing Board, Cllr Don Turner, said: "Brighton & Hove City Council is proud to be the UK lead on such an important project. Not only will this work improve the future design of new housing for older people in our City, but the experience gained from our New Larchwood development and other schemes will help improve housing design and the quality of life for older people across the whole European Union."
Brighton & Hove City Council is leading on this project on behalf of the UK, with other project partners from Italy, Sweden, Hungary, and Spain.
This is one of many projects aimed at improving the quality of life of older people, Brighton & Hove City Council is involved in. June will see the City host an international conference and exhibition as part of the Celebrating Age Festival.
Around 240 homes are to be built in Birmingham's first flagship extra care village for older people. Birmingham Council members have approved partners ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Touchstone Housing Association to work with it on the scheme.
The extra care village in Fosseway Drive, New Oscott will provide a range of housing choices for older people and should act as a catalyst for improving housing services. Approximately 240 properties will be built with a mixture of homes for rent, shared-ownership or outright sale. Most flats will have two bedrooms to meet the rising expectations of older people, providing an opportunity for independence and also providing support on site.
Facilities in the village will include a gymnasium, sauna, restaurant, cafe, bar, IT suite, library, hairdresser/beauty salon, well-being suite, battery operated scooter store, and activity rooms. The gym and well-being suite will help frailer residents to regain mobility following a stroke, hip replacements, or other illnesses.
ExtraCare Charitable Trust has a track record of developing high quality extra care villages similar to that proposed in Birmingham.
Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "This is a momentous step for the City. Our vision is that all older people regardless of age or mobility will be given the chance to remain as active and independent as possible. By providing a home for life, residents will not need to move to residential or nursing care provision, instead adapting their care package to meet any change in circumstances. The village will also create significant employment opportunities for local people."
The Council will have 100% nomination rights to rented and shared-ownership properties on all new and future lettings. There are also plans to develop a number of smaller extra care schemes and the Council is reviewing existing extra care schemes to improve current services to meet the needs of residents.
The heads of two charitable organisations came together to mark the start of a housing project to help people from across Scotland build new lives after spinal cord injury. Margaret Blackwood Housing Association and ASPIRE - the Association for Spinal Injury Research Rehabilitation and Reintegration - will work together to provide suitably adapted housing and support that will aid recovery from the trauma resulting from spinal cord injury.
Through temporary housing projects, ASPIRE aims to double the number of housing projects across the UK and to extend its operation into Scotland for the first time. This will involve working with the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow - the only such unit currently operating in Scotland.
The project will provide:
Both organisations have their origins in working with disabled people to provide high standards of support for living. This new venture in joined-up working will show that spinal cord injury is not the end of hope or ambition for a fulfilling life.
Peter Mountford-Smith, Chief Executive of Margaret Blackwood Housing Association, said: "ASPIRE wish to secure wheelchair accessible housing, preferably within inclusive mixed communities, that will allow people to develop as much independence as possible in a home environment. We at Margaret Blackwood believe in diverse communities in which people can expand their opportunities, exercise choice and maximise their potential. That is our vision and we are delighted to work with ASPIRE in driving innovation and quality in accessible housing and support in Scotland."
Brian Carlin, Chief Executive of ASPIRE, said: "The partnership with the Margaret Blackwood Housing Association is an exciting part of the expansion of the ASPIRE Housing Project. We know that our new housing in Scotland will offer independence to spinally injured people newly discharged from the Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow and reduce the problem of blocking valuable bed spaces. Without partnership with organisations like Margaret Blackwood Housing Association, ASPIRE would not be able to offer people with spinal cord injuries the opportunity to lead more independent and fulfilled lives."