For immediate release: Wednesday 25 June 2008
Event celebrates official opening of Plaxton Court
Plaxton Court, Scarborough’s innovative new housing and care facility for older people on Woodlands Drive, will be formally opened by Councillor Peter Booth, the Deputy Mayor of Scarborough on Thursday 26 June at 2.00pm.
This opening ceremony will also include a guided tour and the opportunity to speak to current residents who moved into the development last month.
Developed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and named in memory of the late F W (Eric) Plaxton, former Chairman of the Scarborough-based Plaxton Group, Plaxton Court is a high quality mixed tenure development, comprising 52 self-contained apartments and 16 cottages. Only five one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments remain unsold.
John Kennedy, JRHT’s Director of Care Services, said: "We are understandably pleased that Plaxton Court has proved popular locally and that the properties have been taken so quickly. I am sure this is partly due to the different finance models we have introduced. People can choose to rent, part-own or buy their home outright depending on their financial circumstances."
Residents can benefit from an innovative new concept call ‘extra care’. This is designed to allow older people to retain their independence by living in their own home, with on-site support and well-being services available, if needed.
Judith Hannah, Manager of Plaxton Court, said: "Our aim is to support older people to live independently in their own home, through services that promote good health and social well being, as well as enabling them to feel safe and secure. This includes advice on diet and exercise, emotional support and counselling."
Each home is fitted with a call system, which can be used in an emergency to summon immediate assistance – and personal and practical support, such as home help and personal care, is available to those people who need it.
On-site, the scheme includes a restaurant, hair salon, fitness suite and shop and these facilities are also available to the wider population in Scarborough.
Notes to Editors
- The F W Plaxton Charitable Trust has made a large donation to help build the development.
- Plaxton Court is owned and managed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), an experienced provider of housing and care schemes for older people.
- JRHT is a charity and registered social landlord with housing and care schemes in Yorkshire and the North East.
- If members of the media would like to attend the opening event on Thursday 26 June, please contact Charlotte Morris, JRF Senior Media Relations Manager on 01904 615919 or email charlotte.morris@jrf.org.uk
Issued by Charlotte Morris, JRF Senior Media Relations Manager: 01904 615 919 / 020 7278 9665 / charlotte.morris@jrf.org.uk
