DCHA are currently building an ‘extra care scheme’ behind St Therese’s, which will consist of 42 one and two bedroom flats each with fitted kitchen, bathrooms with level access showers and a lounge area. The scheme has been supported by over £4m of investment from the Homes & Communities Agency.
The flats have an emergency call system and support is tailored to meet individual needs as well as having 24hr care support available. The communal facilities include a laundry, hair salon, activity room, dining room, lounge, assisted bathroom, guest en-suite for family and friends, buggy store, roof garden, treatment room and lifts to all floors, plus a secure door entry system. Although it is for people with high physical needs it is also for those needing a high level of general support which they will receive through individual care/support package.
Children from Marlborough had visited the site of the extra care scheme a few weeks ago and watched the builders, learnt all about the new building, and talked about building site safety. Yesterday they were invited back to talk to residents at St Therese’s about what they liked about Devonport, what Devonport was like in the past, and importantly, what they should name the new scheme.
The day started with a chat about what people liked about where they lived and the list was pretty long! The children in particular liked their school, the shops, lots of parks, a swimming pool, that there were lots of new houses being built, the people, the police (who are very friendly), ice cream vans, the statue of King Billy, the ships and boats and the youth club.
After the present, the children got to ask questions about the past. Although there may have been some misunderstanding about how old some of the residents where, when one of the children asked, “what was Devonport like a hundred years ago?” Luckily one of the residents who knew something about local history was able to give an answer despite being considerable less than a hundred years old!
The children and residents drew pictures of familiar sights in Devonport, including a cannon, ships, ice-cream and sandpits. And the pictures will be hung up at the new scheme. Then finally came the naming, the children had already come up with some suggestions and sheltered housing officer, Dorinda Hood, read out all the suggestions to see what the response was. And the overwhelming favourite was... Devonport Views which got a huge cheer! Singing followed lunch before the children headed back to school.
Class three will be invited back to the opening and official naming of the scheme, which they'll no doubt enjoy, especially as one of the children declared that yesterday's event was “a very good party!”
