Tenants’ delight as first sheltered scheme is modernised in £8million programme
Published: Friday, 7 December, 2018
Two residents at Sherborne House, Stroud District Council’s sheltered housing scheme in Stonehouse cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the newly refurbished complex.
They were cheered on by fellow residents, councillors, members of the council’s project team, contractors and Stroud MP David Drew.
Stroud District Council has committed £8.4million to modernising its sheltered housing schemes in a programme which involves the major refurbishment of some schemes, as well as creating a number of new purpose built apartments.
Sherborne House was the first scheme to be completed in the project at a cost of £410,000. The work took five months to complete, and involved creating a new entrance lobby, a large open plan communal kitchen, lounge and dining area, new outdoor paths and mobility scooter bays and `dementia-friendly’ colour coded corridors.
Residents were involved with choosing the design and colour scheme. Resident Linda Thomas said: “I’m thrilled to bits with it, it’s wonderful.”
The official opening was planned to mark the completion of the work, and to thank tenants who lived there while the work was carried out.
Chas Townley, chair of Stroud District Council’s Housing Committee said:
“It was great to meet with residents who are benefiting from the council’s investment in sheltered homes which provide independent living. In recent years the service has undergone considerable change, mainly due to cuts in Government funding for sheltered housing due to austerity.
The improvements at Sherborne House are impressive and show the scale of the changes we are making to improve tenants’ lives to provide them with a safe and secure home.
I am confident that through developing the right partnerships with health, social care and the voluntary sector it will enable older residents not just in Sherborne House but in the wider area to continue active and fulfilling lives in their community.”