More shelter for the old

Older people in Bristol will be able to make their home in high-quality Very Sheltered Housing, thanks to a successful £4.2 million bid to government.

The funding means that 66 purpose-built flats will be provided, in Bishopsworth, with tailored on-site care and special facilities designed to support older people in their own homes. It will be the ninth such scheme in the city.Bristol City Council made the application in partnership with BrunelCare, who will be working on the scheme.

Bristol is the only authority in the South West to be amongst the 'winners' and will receive just over £4.2 million pounds making this the fourth largest allocation from the £40 million nationwide fund. Bristol City Council is also contributing a £900,000 grant towards the total scheme costs of £9m.

Councillor John Kiely, Executive Member for Housing and Adult Community Care, said:

"Very Sheltered Housing has proved extremely popular with older people since we introduced it in Bristol in 2004. For residents, it combines the privacy and independence of living in their own flat, with the security of knowing that care and support are on hand, 24 hours a day. Securing funding to move forward with a new scheme in Bishopsworth is excellent news and helps achieve our aim of ensuring provision is available across the city."

The scheme will have a particular focus on supporting people with long-term limiting illnesses, such as dementia and emphysema. One of the innovative features of Brunelcare's Very Sheltered Housing will be the providing of a 'social club'- with a range of scheme facilities and activities intended to be used by older members of the local community.

Helen Joy, Chief Executive of Brunelcare, adds: "There is enormous need for Very Sheltered Housing in the local area. The Hartcliffe and Withywood estate is home to a great many people who moved there with young families in the 50s and 60s and have chosen to stay. This represents a demographic time bomb for Bristol."The planning application is expected to be submitted this month, with work on site starting before the end of the year.