Our new £19million extra care scheme near Middleton town centre is set to provide 98 affordable homes for those aged over 55, alongside training and a range of employment opportunities in both housing and care for people in our communities – all of which will be showcased at an open event at Burnside Community centre this September.
The modern development on Keswick Close, offers 88 high quality one and two bed apartments for people with extra care needs, and 10 bungalows for adults aged over 55, plus onsite communal facilities including a community café and hair salon.
Working in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, we are regenerating a brownfield site, once home to the Langley ‘Three Sisters’ tower blocks, to form the development which will be known as Keswick Gardens.
Located less than two miles outside of Middleton town centre and approximately seven miles from the centre of Rochdale and Manchester, Keswick Gardens has been designed to enable older residents, with varying care and support needs, to live independently in a safe environment, with a 24/7 support service and regular activities such as money advice and health and wellbeing sessions.
The new scheme is due to open its doors in Summer 2023 and will feature interior décor in line with dementia-friendly Government criteria.
The opening of Keswick Gardens will bring a mix of new jobs including full and part time care staff, catering, domestic and management positions to the area, as well as housing roles such as Retirement Living Coordinator, Property Administrator and Income Administrator, to name just a few.
Other opportunities include free Kick Start training qualifications which offer a route into care work, apprenticeships to earn as you learn, right through to volunteering, such as befriending and supporting customers with dementia, for those looking to build their skills or who are passionate about giving back to the community.
Applications for housing will be through the local authority and are now open for individuals looking to live at Keswick Gardens, and training available in readiness for vacancies opening, aimed at those wanting to develop their career in housing or care.
We’re holding a community open day event on Thursday 8 September for anyone interested in finding out more about living or working at Keswick Gardens.
You can catch us at Burnside Community Centre on Burnside Crescent (Middleton, Manchester, M24 5NN) from 2pm to 4pm, and then again at 6pm to 8pm. Refreshments and activities for children will be available.
Sally Nicholson, our Head of Operations, said: “Our community open day in September will provide the opportunity for anyone to come down and find out more about the homes available, whether you’re looking for yourself or a relative.
“It’s also a chance to learn more about the upcoming vacancies and free training you can start now to ensure you have completed your qualification in time for Keswick Gardens’ opening next summer.
“Riverside has been around for nearly 100 years in communities nationwide, from Scotland to London, and we’re one of the largest providers of care and support services in the country.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing this new scheme on Keswick Close to the community, giving choice to individuals to live independently while providing numerous housing and care employment opportunities. So if you’re interested, we’d love to meet up and have a chat with you.”
Councillor Daniel Meredith, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, added: “This is a really innovative and visionary scheme that will provide good quality housing for scores of older people and those with care needs in our borough. In addition, the cash injection will boost the local economy, create new jobs and deliver a wide range of training. I am passionate about providing residents with high quality independent living opportunities, in a place of their choice, so I am really looking forward to this pioneering project being completed. It underlines our timeless cooperative values, working in partnership with others, at their very best.”
Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for adult care, commented: “Ensuring older people and those with care needs have access to good quality housing opportunities is one of our key priorities, so I am delighted to see this superb scheme progressing to the next stage. This is about ensuring people have access to good quality housing, creating a range of employment opportunities, and boosting people’s mental health and wellbeing. I know this will be a really forward-looking, visionary development, showcasing the pioneering spirit of our borough at its very best.”
If you can’t make it to the open day at Burnside Community Centre or would like some more information about Keswick Gardens Extra Care, please get in touch at [email protected]