New video portrays life at Cae Garnedd

Cae Garnedd, our Extra Care scheme in Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor has made it to the big screen! We have just completed a video showing life at Cae Garnedd.

Extra Care Manager Carwyn George and residents talk about the scheme and the benefits of Extra Care.

You can watch the video here.

If you would like to visit Cae Garnedd for yourself please contact us on 01492 572727 or email [email protected].

Winter Wonderland makeover for charity

The Llys y Coed Reception has had a Winter Wonderland makeover!

Manager Cheryl Haggas and friends have decorated the reception of the Extra Care Scheme in Llanfairfechan in aid of The Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Cheryl explains:

“We decorate the scheme every year; it really helps us get in the Christmas spirit. This year we decided to use it as a way to fundraise for a charity.”

“Visitors are invited to donate if they appreciate the festive scene. We’ve raised over £50 already; we’ve got a calendar full of events before Christmas so I’m sure this will be a lot more by the end of December!”

Residents’ donations keep homeless warm this winter

St Mary’s homeless hostel in Bangor sent out an urgent appeal for donations as supplies ran critically low for their homeless gate service this September.

North Wales Housing’s Older Persons department and residents came to their rescue and pulled together to collect donations.

Eirlys Parry, Head of Older Persons, explained why they decided to help:

“When we read about the shortage in our newsletter we really wanted to help as a department. Charity does begin at home and we really wanted to help our colleagues. The Older Persons tenants are also really good at fundraising for different charities throughout the year so we knew they would do well.”

“Residents across North Wales came together to collect, raiding their own collection as well as friends and families. The end result was amazing, everyone was extremely generous. We collected bagsful of clothes and boxes overflowing with food.”

The Team handed over the mountain of donations to St Mary’s Hostel on Love Lane, Bangor in October.

Rob Parry, Scheme Manager at St Mary’s, was ecstatic the donation:

“We are extremely grateful to the Older Persons department and the residents for their generosity and would like to thank them for their support.”

“The gate service offered at St Mary’s to the street homeless in Bangor rely heavily on donations to keep going. With the cold winter months approaching our stock was worrying low and this donation was much needed.”

Find out more about donations required here. If you would like to donate any tents, sleeping bags, warm clothing or food please drop off any donations at St Mary’s, Love Lane, Bangor or contact 01248 362211 for alternative arrangements.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Forget the Great British Bake Off, September was Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning time!

The Coffee Morning, held on 30th September, is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. People all over the UK to host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan.

A number of North Wales Housing residents hosted their own coffee mornings. Residents from Older Persons schemes Cae Garnedd, Y Gorlan, Taverners Court and Hafod y Parc all got their aprons out and baked some tasty treats for the UK wide fundraising campaign, raising nearly £1,500 for the cancer charity.

Taverners Court coffee morning was a joint effort friends of Taverners from a neighbouring block who currently have a family member suffering from cancer.

Susan Gough, Warden at Taverners Court said:

“The event was really well attended by residents, friends from the neighbouring blocks and local community and residents and staff from Brigadoon Care Home in Llandudno.”

Well done everyone who took part and attended – we look forward to next year already!!

Hafod y Parc features in Housing LIN Case Study

Hafod y Parc, our Abergele based Extra Care scheme, has been featured in a case study by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN).

The case study focuses on independent living with care, using Hafod y Parc to highlight the benefits that effective partnership working brings to new extra care schemes.

You can read the case study here

The Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) is the leading ‘knowledge hub’ for a growing network of housing, health and social care professionals in England and Wales for everyone involved in planning,commissioning, designing, funding, building and managing housing with care for older people.

Hafod y Parc was North Wales Housing’s second Extra Care scheme and opened its doors to residents in April 2014. Extra care schemes such as this offers those over the age of 60 an enhanced choice, providing independent living with a care and support programme that can be adapted and assessed as their individual needs change.

Find out more about Hafod y Parc here.

Y Gorlan take on The Big Knit

Residents at Y Gorlan, Bangor have been busy knitting little hats for the Big Knit, a campaign set up by Innocent smoothies to help raise money for Age UK.

All little hats get placed on Innocent smoothies and sold, 25p of which is donated to Age UK.

North Wales Housing staff have also got involved – Mary Jones, Older Persons Administrator and Ruth Lanham-Wright, Finance and Revenues Manager have also knitted hats.

You can find out more about The Big Knit and how to take part here www.thebigknit.co.uk.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones officially opens Cae Garnedd

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.”

Cae Garnedd residents move in

Construction work at North Wales Housing’s £8.35 million older person’s extra care housing scheme ‘Cae Garnedd’ in Bangor is now complete and residents started to move into their new home in December 2014.

‘Cae Garnedd’ is an older person’s extra care scheme developed in partnership between North Wales Housing and Gwynedd Council. The extra care scheme is the first of its kind for Bangor and offers an alternative way of living for older people, providing independent living supported by care and support.

The scheme includes 15 high specified one and 27 two-bedroom apartments, each containing its own kitchen, living area and bathroom. Residents are able to utilise as much or as little of the communal facilities available which include rest, leisure and activity areas, as well as a central catered dining area. Twenty four hour care is available and is determined by the needs of every individual for whom a care plan can be adapted as their needs change.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

“This is the first extra care scheme in Bangor and provides an important alternative for older members of our community when considering their housing options. We’re incredibly proud to be able to bring this scheme to the city.

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.”

Paul adds:

“The building itself is set in an excellent position within the city, offering easy access to key destinations and attractions within the city.”

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Care, said:

“As a Council, we are delighted to see residents moving into the extra care housing facility at Cae Garnedd. This partnership between Gwynedd Council and North Wales Housing will allow people to continue to live independently in a safe and homely community with flexible care services.”

“The older population in Gwynedd is set to increase over the coming years and we must prepare now for the demands which will inevitably be placed on our services, and be able to give people a choice of how and where they want to live.”

“Developments like Cae Garnedd allow older people the freedom to live independently in their own home with the peace of mind that support is available when needed.”

You can find out more about Cae Garnedd here . If you would like to find out more or arrange a visit you can contact Scheme Manager Carwyn George on [email protected] or call 01492 563287.

Lesley Griffiths AM officially opens Hafod y Parc, Abergele Extra Care Scheme

Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, officially opened Hafod y Parc, a pioneering Extra Care scheme by North Wales Housing on Thursday 20th November 2014.

Hafod y Parc is a £11million new build Extra Care scheme, on Kinmel Avenue, that offers those over the age of 60 an enhanced choice, providing independent living with a care and support programme that can be adapted and assessed as their individual needs change. The scheme has benefited from over £6m from the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant Programme.

Residents, staff and guests came together to celebrate the official opening of the scheme and Lesley Griffiths AM unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. Afternoon tea was served accompanied by performances by local school Ysgol Glan Morfa Choir.

Guests also took the opportunity to have a tour of the wonderful, high spec facilities at Hafod y Parc. Set within beautiful picturesque leafy wooded parkland, the scheme includes a host of modern yet homely communal areas including lounges; restaurant; hairdressers and pamper treatment room; snooker and games room; IT room and much more.

Construction was completed in April 2014 and all of 49 one and two bedroom apartments are occupied. Residents have quickly settled into their new home, setting up numerous social activities and even forming a resident band.

Hafod y Parc resident Betty Fraser said:

“Hafod Y Parc is the finest place I have ever had, I have never felt so happy and contented in all my life. There is wonderful food and unconditional support from the staff, it is out of this world!”

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty said:

“I am very pleased that the Welsh Government was able to support the facility here at Hafod y Parc which will make a real difference to people’s lives, and will help protect people from becoming isolated or lonely.”

“Schemes like this support a range of housing needs and I have met a number of residents today who are all extremely happy with their new homes.”

“This investment has not only provided much needed homes, it has supported the economy by boosting jobs and growth and provided training opportunities for local people.”

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing added:

“We’re so proud of Hafod y Parc, it’s an exceptional scheme and it is easy to recognise the appeal of the development.”

“Older persons deserve more choice in later years and Hafod y Parc offers a very enhancing alternative to home living and residential care. For us, Extra Care is all about enabling people to make considered housing and care choices with the freedom of flexibility as their own needs change.”

Minister sees impact of Welsh Government support for housing

A newly opened extra care scheme in Abergele, which has been backed by the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant, is providing excellent facilities for the residents Finance Minister Jane Hutt said today.

The Hafod y Parc Extra Care Scheme provides modern independent living for people over the age of 60 and welcomed its first residents in April this year. It includes 49 self-contained flats and is now fully occupied.

The £10.7m scheme benefited from £6.2m from the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant Programme with the remainder funded by North Wales Housing Association.

Facilities at Hafod y Parc include 24-hour on site care and support, restaurant, hair salon, hobbies room and a patio garden area.

The Minister said:

“Extra care schemes allow people over 60 to live independently while receiving the services of an experienced care team who are on site 24 hours a day, providing high quality care.”

“The facilities here at Hafod y Parc are excellent and provide every opportunity for residents to live as independently as possible in a community environment.”

“The project has also benefited the community during the construction process, with opportunities for an apprentice joiner and work placement schemes.”

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive at North Wales Housing Association said:

“Hafod y Parc is an exceptional development that we’re all incredibly proud of. When the scheme opened its doors only a few weeks ago, Hafod Y Parc was immediately fully occupied, highlighting both the standard of housing available there and the clear need and demand for the extracare concept of living.”

The Hafod y Parc scheme is the fourth extra care scheme operating in Conwy County.