Tunstall Healthcare telecare devices to boost accessibility in Northamptonshire flats
Independent living flats due to be built in Northamptonshire has announced that the accommodation will be monitored using telecare systems by global health and care technology firm, Tunstall Healthcare.
Hearnden Court in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, which currently contains 20 flats, is due to be demolished and redeveloped to allow modern new homes for older people with support needs.
The new Hearnden Court will include 57 one and two bedroom supported accommodation flats, with 17 being available for Older Persons Shared Ownership.
Greatwell Homes told THIIS that all of its Independent Living scheme accommodation currently have Tunstall telecare systems installed and Hearnden Court will be no exception.
The flats are set to be rebuilt with enhanced accessibility, including elevators and spacious hallways and rooms to allow wheelchair access.
It is also being built with the potential to be converted into a care home in the future if it is needed, however, the council have said that it has no plans to do so in the near future.
Greatwell Homes is in the process of discussing the possibility of innovative and attractive accessibility aids to suit the stylish and modern build.
Greatwell Homes, the housing association who owns the building, will receive £2.8 million of funding from Homes England to help support delivery of this scheme.
From September 2020 to December 2020, the UK Government launched the consultation ‘Raising accessibility standards for new homes’, which requested views on options to raise accessibility standards for new homes.
Demolition will begin in June this year with completion of the project aimed for Summer 2025.
Jo Savage, Chief Executive at Greatwell Homes, said: “We’re happy to be working with Homes England and ARJ Construction on the redevelopment of Hearnden Court to provide much needed supported accommodation in Wellingborough.
“These new homes will be spacious and flexible so we can adapt to our customers individual needs and promote independence. They will be energy efficient with better insulation and low carbon heating reducing running costs and carbon emissions helping us towards becoming a net zero carbon business by 2050.
“We have been working closely with local residents and our customers who previously lived at Hearnden Court who will get the chance to move back to Hearnden Court if they wish when the works are completed.”
Bhups Gosal, Head of Provider Management at Homes England, commented: “Despite the current challenges affecting the country, accelerating housebuilding remains our number one priority.
“We are committed to supporting Greatwell Homes that have ambitions to build new homes and our investment through the Affordable Housing Programme allows us to do that. We’re delighted that this funding will enable Greatwell Homes to deliver much needed new homes in Wellingborough.’’
Greatwell Homes recently worked with equipment supplier Invisible Creations to install assistive living aids in over 180 bathrooms to provide better accessibility for people with additional support needs throughout Wellingborough.
