Servite Houses joined the National Care Forum (NCF), and underlined its intentions to extend its services for older people and lead the sector in the provision of care. NCF represents the interests of not-for-profit health and social care providers throughout the United Kingdom.
Servite has already created a dedicated Directorate for Older People, combining housing services and care, and developed one of the first residential care Public Finance Initiatives (PFI) schemes in Ealing, worth £25 million.
NCF has become a leading voice in the care sector, promoting the benefits of not-for-profit care provision to government, policy advisers, public commissioners, consumers, and other health care bodies.
Servite's Director for Older People, Avril Evans, said: "Our priority is to provide excellent services and lead the way in the sector, finding new answers to old problems, so that our services really meet the needs of the older people we care for.
"Joining the NCF gives us the chance to share our expertise, learn from other providers, as well as measure our service against others in the sector.
"We're really excited to have joined so many like-minded organisations."
Executive Director of the National Care Forum, Des Kelly, said: "We're really pleased to have Servite on board. Their values fit closely with our own and as one of the largest organisations in our membership their voice will really have an impact [and] help us change things for the better."
Progress was made towards the second phase of a £31 million care village for vulnerable older people in West London, which is scheduled to start in July.
The four-stage Sunningdale Court project will eventually create 123 new homes in Southall. Part of the Golf Links Estate, it was first earmarked for re-development in 2002 through a partnership agreement between ASRA Greater London Housing Association, Notting Hill Housing Group, the Housing Corporation and Ealing Council.
The scheme is the first of its kind in the area and it is a creative alternative to traditional housing options for older people. Sunningdale Court will provide high level support and care accommodation, but will still enable residents to live independently and safely in their own homes.
Phase two will replace the existing block with a mix of 44 one-bed and two-bed secure apartments with visitor car parking and landscaped gardens. Four wheelchair-adapted units will be provided on the ground floor.
ASRA Greater London HA will develop and manage phases two and four, with Notting Hill Housing Group taking care of phases one and three. Homes will be built to the Lifetimes Homes Standard and fully meet the industry recognised Eco homes ratings. Completion of Sunningdale Court phase two is scheduled for October 2007.
European housing and regeneration experts paid a special visit to Brighton & Hove's first £3.5 million Extra Care development.
Delegates from Sweden, Spain, Italy and Hungary toured the scheme, which promotes independent and improved housing for older people across Europe. The delegates were impressed with the design, accessibility, communal space and level of community involvement shown at the New Larchwood development.
Councillor Anne Meadows, Chair of the Adult Social Care & Health Committee, toured the scheme with the EU delegates and representatives of Hanover Housing Association. She said: "A great attention to detail has clearly been shown in designing New Larchwood. I am very impressed with the amount of communal space, giving residents and the community many opportunities to interact. Flats are spacious, and every opportunity has been made to let in natural light and offer views of the Downs."
A new European guide to designing older people's housing, due to be published next year, will feature New Larchwood as an example of good practice.
ExtraCare Housing, such as New Larchwood, is a new initiative for Brighton & Hove. It offers older residents the independence of their own homes, combined with the provision of on-site care and support as their needs require, often removing the need to move to more institutionalised residential care.
The development is part of the EU Welfare Housing Policies for Older People initiative.
