First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones officially opens Cae Garnedd

8 September 2015
View more in Corporate, Development, Older Persons

Carwyn Jones AM, The First Minister of Wales officially opened, Cae Garnedd, a pioneering Extra Care scheme by North Wales Housing on Wednesday 2nd September 2015.

Residents, staff and guests came together to celebrate the official opening of the scheme and Carwyn Jones AM helped plant an ornamental tree to mark the occasion before meeting residents over afternoon tea.

‘Cae Garnedd’ is a £8.35 million new build Extra Care scheme in Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, developed in partnership between North Wales Housing, Gwynedd Council and Welsh Government. The scheme is the first of its kind for Bangor and offers an alternative way of living for people aged over 55, providing independent living supported by care and support programme that can be adapted and assessed as their individual needs change.

Guests also took the opportunity to have a tour of the wonderful facilities at Cae Garnedd. The scheme includes 15 high specified one and 27 two-bedroom apartments, each containing its own kitchen, living area and bathroom as well as a host of modern yet homely communal areas including lounges; restaurant; hairdressers and pamper treatment room and much more.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones said:

The facilities here at Cae Garnedd are outstanding and provide the opportunity for older people to continue to live independently.  I am pleased the Welsh Government was able to support this facility with £4.8m Social Housing Grant funding.  Schemes like Cae Garnedd reduce the dependency on residential or the long term care system and ensure people aren’t at risk of being lonely or isolated.

Schemes like Cae Garnedd are also a stimulus for the economy by supporting the construction and supply chain, and by providing jobs and apprenticeships for the local area.”

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

We’re incredibly proud to be able to bring this scheme to the city, the first of its kind in Bangor. It provides an important alternative for older members of our community when considering their housing options.

For many older people, living opportunities can be considered at very opposing ends of the spectrum from full independent living to residential or nursing care. Extra Care bridges this gap and offers people a choice to retain their independent living with support and care when needed.”