Cornwall’s first redeveloped Extra Care Housing Scheme for older people was officially re-opened by HRH the Duke of Kent in July.
Coastline Housing’s Miners Court scheme in Redruth has recently undergone a grand scale remodel and refurbishment thanks to an investment of just over £1million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Cornwall Council.
The Duke visited the impressive development which now consists of 64 flats and is based in the centre of Redruth. The remodelling project has seen all flats benefit from a complete refurbishment and the introduction of community facilities such as a hairdressing salon, a surgery for use by doctors and nurses, and two respite care dwellings.
The Duke’s visit marked the completion of the works and the official re-opening of the building as the first redeveloped ‘Extra Care’ scheme in Cornwall.
Residents and members of Coastline Housing were delighted to welcome him to the scheme and as part of the visit the Duke also unveiled a commemorative plaque.
Ninety-year-old resident Enid Rule, who has lived at Miners Court since the scheme was built in 1984, and her great granddaughter Lois, aged four, presented HRH with a basket of Cornish produce.
“This has been a real honour and a very fitting way to celebrate the re-launch of the scheme, said Enid, who attended East End School in Redruth and has 6 children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
“Being able to share the experience with my great-granddaughter made the occasion even more memorable.”
Miners Court was officially opened by Princess Diana back in April 1985, and now 25 years on, a whole new generation of residents will reap the benefits of the scheme.
Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive of Coastline Housing, said: “Extra Care is a new philosophy for Cornwall that is developing in response to our ever-growing older population and the support that they will need in future to live in their own homes for longer.
“We want residents to live independently in self-contained homes and have a number of facilities here on site which they can make full use of as they become less able to get out and about.
“It’s about providing a home for life for older people, but also opening the scheme to the local community to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the valuable services available – everything from hairdressing to podiatry and entertainment.”
He added: “We are very pleased that HRH the Duke was able to visit Miners Court which has been at the heart of the local community for some time.”
The refurbishment, undertaken by Coastline Housing’s subsidiary company Coastline Services, has been carried out to high environmental standards, using local labour and suppliers wherever possible.