£1.5m committed to specialist dementia wing in Hastings

A specialist dementia wing has been added to an eighteenth century care home building, acquired by the Magdalen and Lasher Charity in 1981.

Old Hastings House in Hastings, East Sussex has a new extension linked to the existing house, but as a separate wing, largely self-sufficient and with its own architectural identity and unique outlook across the town.

The building has 15 new bedrooms, two large communal rooms (lounge and dining room), offices, sanitary facilities and various external areas including a roof patio.

£1,500,000 was committed to the project after English Heritage and Old Hastings Preservation Society backed the specialist dementia wing extension to Old Hastings House, following a review of the development plans produced by John D Clarke Architects.

The architects who specialise in both heritage buildings and in care home projects, had to clearly demonstrate attention to detail in the preservation of its eighteenth century heritage.

Old Hastings House operates as a not-for-profit care home, and has been running at full capacity since it opened its extension.

Mark Anderson, of John D Clarke Architects, said: “Our work within the heritage sector increasingly involves the considerations of a growing range of stakeholders. This is particularly important when adapting historic buildings like Old Hastings House, and a vital consideration in accommodating care of vulnerable people.”

Image: The new dementia wing at Old Hastings House