“We are immensely grateful to Mr Kift, whose express wish was for the Abbeyfield Society to benefit the local people of South Gloucestershire” said Frances Stretton, Chief Executive of Abbeyfield Bristol Society. “With the support of our colleagues in neighbouring Societies we intend to offer the same high standards of Supported Sheltered Housing.”

The post Hanham’s New Abbeyfield House All Set for Spring 2014 appeared first on Abbeyfield Bristol Society.

“We are very pleased to have won the planning application after listening carefully to the concerns of local residents” said Mike Innes, Chair of the Abbeyfield Bristol Society Trustees. “The modified design has, for example, limited the use of two-storey buildings and has taken into account the points raised in recent discussions.”

“The Society’s offer of a real alternative for older people’s accommodation in South Gloucestershire is very well received in Easter Compton where we can support 13 or 14 residents. The new design for Hanham will allow us to offer another 18 units, mostly one bedroom flats, and help serve a new area with Supported Sheltered Housing. “

Frances Stretton, Chief Executive of the Bristol based registered charity added “The house will include communal areas for dining and living rooms as well as taking full advantage of the lovely gardens and mature trees in the grounds. We have incorporated facilities for IT, visiting hairdressers and chiropodists and for an electric scooter park with direct access to the house. ”

Like all Abbeyfield Bristol Society houses, Hanham will offer its services for a fully inclusive, affordable charge providing 3 meals a day, staff on the premises and on-call 24 hours a day, including housekeeping, cooking and handyman services, and all household utility charges and maintenance costs.

The revised design includes 4 x studios and 14 x one bedroom flats, all with private en-suite shower rooms and a fitted kitchenette amongst other planned amenities.

 “We have received a number of enquiries during the planning process and we look forward to making more detailed information available in due course” said Ms Stretton. “It is hoped that building work will begin in the Summer of 2013 with completion during the Spring of 2014.”

The post Hanham’s Planning Approval Gives Go Ahead for Major Expansion in South Gloucestershire. appeared first on Abbeyfield Bristol Society.

 “It has been very encouraging to see how popular the re-designed house has been” said Frances Stretton, Chief Executive of Abbeyfield Bristol Society. “However, potential, future residents are very welcome to view the house, and the others the Bristol Society has in operation, and join the waiting list for either one bedroom flats or large studios.”

 Redland Road has been designed meet the needs of older people now and in the future. The areas in and around the house are easily managed by people with mobility issues and the space in each, individual flat or studio allows for a great deal of personal furnishings to help establish a home from home.

 “We are grateful to the Lord Lieutenant for her time in marking the official opening” said Mike Innes, Chair of the Trustees. “She was very kind and generous with her time and positive comments.”

Pictured with Mary Prior (nearest the camera) are Mike Innes, Chair of the Abbeyfield Bristol Society Trustees, and Val Brooks, Chair of the Friends of Redland Road.

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“The flat is ideal for a couple, but it can be available for single occupation if someone would prefer to have that much extra space to make their home from home with us” said Terri Green,  of Abbeyfield House, Easter Compton.

“The house has recently been redesigned to make better use of the layout and help improve the service we can offer. We have a member of staff on the premises, and on-call 24 hours a day, which is great reassurance to our residents” she added.

The post Home Farm Way adds a one bedroom flat to its house in Easter Compton. appeared first on Abbeyfield Bristol Society.

The large living room, with doors opening out to the secluded gardens of the house will add a very useful focal point for the residents and visitors alike. “We are looking forward to making good use of the extra room” said Suzanne McKenzie, General Manager of Westbury Road. “The House has always offered a range of activities, either in the afternoons or evenings, in the dining room, but it will be a great advantage to create a large communal area for our resident to enjoy.”

Westbury Road is also undergoing a programme of refurbishment and improvements which includes large, step-in showers in the private en-suites and the introduction of stairlifts to make all rooms equally accessible.

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The fully refurbished house has significantly increased the number of resident places on offer from the registered charity with a mix of 10 x one bedroom flats and 7 x large studio flats available at 222-224 Redland Road. All the flats offer spacious accommodation and the communal areas of living room and dining room, overlooking the maturing gardens, are well used for a variety of activities.

“In the past we have provided mostly en-suite studio accommodation” said Frances Stretton, Chief Executive. “These continue to work very well for our residents in and around Bristol, but at Redland we can offer more.”

“Larger accommodation, like the one bedroom flats, is increasingly popular and we have taken great care to ensure we provide spacious, en-suite units to allow residents to re-create a home from home when they move into an Abbeyfield house” said Frances.

“ The interest has been very high with almost all the flats and studios now occupied. As the residents have moved in, a good community spirit has been established and we look forward to building on the range of acitivities the house can enjoy.”

Like all Abbeyfield Bristol houses, Redland Road has access to the charity’s minibus, with planned trips to places of interest in the region.

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Hanham plans look to expand our offer of supported sheltered housing in South Gloucestershire. Abbeyfield hopes to offer up to 24 one bedroom flats in a purpose built house on the edge of Hanham Common. Planning proposals are currently under discussion.

“We are keen to offer affordable supported sheltered housing to residents outside Bristol” said Mike Innes, Chairman of the charity’s Trustees. “We were kindly bequeathed the house and grounds for use as an Abbeyfield House by a local resident and are now in a position to consider its development.”

“Very careful consideration is being given to a number of important neighbourhood issues such as road safety on the entrance and exits to the grounds and to the visual impact of the proposed architectural plans” Mr Innes added.

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Abbeyfield Bristol’s commitment to older people continues to grow. In the current, worrying climate of cuts to services and the ever present discussions on the provision of suitable accommodation for older people in the UK, the local charity is committed to extending its services.

Abbeyfield Bristol’s new Supported Sheltered House in Redland opens on October 24th as part of the Charity’s planned expansion to increase the number places they can provide for older people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This alternative to living on their own, or going into residential care which they may not need, is often a welcome option. It combines independence and privacy with support and companionship.

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He is in charge of the Minibus that we have just introduced for all Houses to use in trips to places of interest, garden centres or outings to the theatre for example. So far trips out for cream teas or pub lunches appear to be popular!

Rob is a fully qualified carpenter and an experienced builder which gives him the skills for his second role of House Handyman. His third role is to help maintain the gardens, alongside our team of professional and enthusiastic volunteers.

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