Hampshire residents are set to benefit from an innovative housing scheme thanks to a pioneering partnership involving Hampshire County Council and Gosport Borough Council.
Extra Care housing is a new way of living for elderly people in need of care. Many older people want to remain independent and live in their own home, but still want the reassurance that help is at hand whenever they need it.
Hampshire County Council in partnership with Gosport Borough Council have recognised that Gosport is a priority area and have asked Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Felicity Hindson, to approve the Business Case and funding towards an Extra Care Housing Scheme in the Bridgemarry area of Gosport.
Councillor Hindson said: “Extra Care housing offers on-site support and independent living that empowers older people who might otherwise have required residential care. Particularly encouraging, it allows couples, where one partner is less able than the other to stay together in a secure and safe environment, with privacy and access to communal areas. Extra Care does not replace residential care but adds alternative modern options.”
The decision day next week is likely to set the pathway for other similar schemes within the County and see Gosport as the first area in Hampshire to benefit from Extra Care housing.
An innovative way to work
Partnership work has been critical in ensuring that the Extra Care Scheme becomes a reality in Gosport and other areas of Hampshire. Hampshire County Council alongside Gosport Borough Council, and Hermitage Housing Association have all been working together to provide this extremely valuable service for the older community.
Cllr Keith Gill, Chairman of Housing at Gosport Borough Council said “This is an excellent example of partnership working to deliver the shared agenda of Housing and Care with Independence for Older People. Gosport Borough Council’s contribution of land for this innovative scheme will provide a long term benefit for Gosport residents.”
Lifetime Neighbourhoods
Being part of a community is very important for older people and the
Extra Care schemes can provide ‘Lifetime Neighbourhoods’ for many. On-site facilities, such as a restaurant, a hairdressers and a beauty salon, gardens and communal areas serve as important venues for social interaction for people living in the scheme and in the nearby local community.
The focus of Extra Care is to assist individuals and Hampshire County Council is the first Local Authority to push for ‘personalisation’ within Adult Social Services.
Councillor Felicity Hindson added “Personalisationis about personal choice, dignity and a more independent way of life for people, and the Extra Care scheme encompasses all these things”.
