Wokingham

Modern Wokingham homes that will allow people with dementia and learning difficulties to live independent lives with a good quality of life in Wokingham town centre is set to be a step closer to reality this month.

The Wokingham borough council’s decision-making executive will consider awarding the contract to develop and manage the housing at Beeches Manor in Wokingham to Housing 21 at its meeting on January 28.

Subject to planning permission, Housing 21 will build and run Wokingham homes for 18 people with dementia and eight homes for people with learning difficulties on the site as well as staff accommodation and two guest rooms. The apartments for people with dementia would be on the ground floor and would be built around two courtyards with communal lounge, kitchens and activity rooms. The apartments for people with learning difficulties will be on the first floor, where the guest rooms will also be located.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for social care Cllr Chris Edmunds said: “There is a need for good quality homes that will allow people with dementia and people with learning difficulties to live rewarding, independent lives in the Wokingham Borough. We would naturally expect and demand that Housing 21 provides the highest quality care, but we also want to focus on quality of life. Beeches Manor is close to Wokingham town centre and to all the attractions and opportunities that brings and will also be able to provide safe accommodation with secure gardens.”

Housing 21 has extensive experience providing housing for vulnerable people and was selected as the preferred provider on the basis of criteria including quality and design, expertise and experience and financial viability.

David Williams, head of dementia services for Housing 21, said: “This is a great opportunity and we are delighted that Wokingham Borough Council looks set to select us to work with them on this exciting project.”

Wokingham Borough Council