The new Centre will be ready in the summer of 2009. A number of old buildings have been demolished, although residents and service users are still being served on the site.

Our partner on the project is Bromford Housing Group. Our existing bungalows, together with Beacon House, will be replaced by a scheme of very sheltered housing (‘Extra Care’). Seventy-one apartments will be built which will be available to visually impaired people over 55. Fifty will be let in accordance with local authority Social Service requirements, 21 will be for shared ownership and outright private sale. The fully fitted two bedroom apartments will allow visually impaired people to live a full life, while being provided with care and support as necessary.

The current activity centre will be replaced by enlarged and improved facilities within the main complex, providing easier access and making it possible to accommodate more service users. The new centre will see a range of new services being introduced, which will be available to site residents, activity centre users and people from the wider community:

  • a restaurant
  • conference facilities for commercial use
  • a hairdressing salon
  • small scale grocery kiosk
  • an IT suite
  • gym
  • community rooms which will be available for hire

 

There are also plans for a training and employment project to help the 75% of visually impaired people of employment age who are not in employment.