Open Day showcases extra care apartments at Sandwell's Goldfield Court

New £12m extra care scheme, Goldfield Court in Sandwell, is hosting an open day today in order to welcome enquiries from those curious about the care provision and living options available to older people.

Consisting of 93 self-contained apartments, the extra care development is tailored towards independent living for residents over 55 with care needs, while also being designed to achieve a community atmosphere, with excellent communal facilities, its own restaurant and also a hair and beauty salon.

A partnership deal between Sandwell Council and provider Housing 21 made the scheme possible, which has also benefitted from £5m of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Speaking at a topping out ceremony in October, council leader Darren Cooper spoke of the authorities’ commitment to modernising care provision: "This is the council delivering on its promise to bring significant changes in the way elderly people are looked after in the borough. This will be the third extra care centre opened in Sandwell and each have state-of-the-art facilities which is helping to bring housing care for the elderly into the 21st century."

Goldfield Court has been built with the wider community in mind, with the restaurant and hair salon open to non-residents. The site is also wheelchair friendly and residents’ apartments have been specifically designed to assist mobility, including non-slip flooring and walk-in showers.

Housing 21 specialise in the supply of affordable housing; Goldfield Court is the company’s second extra care scheme to open in Sandwell, with earlier scheme Queensridge Court opening in November 2010. Currently the provider manages more than 18,000 sheltered and extra care apartments across the UK.