£5 million Centre For Older People Opens In Norwich

A £5 million state-of-the-art resource centre for older people opened in Norwich this week.

Grays Fair Court in New Costessey combines 34 sheltered homes, 20 respite care beds and a day service for older people in Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland. It includes a cinema, shop, hairdressers and coffee bar.

The centre, which is located on the site of the former Huntingfields Care Home, is a partnership project between Saffron Housing Trust, Norfolk County Council and Age Concern Norfolk.

Although people first started using the centre in December it was officially opened on Monday.

Cllr Chris Mowle, Norfolk County Council – along with Alan MacKim, chairman of Age Concern Norfolk and Adam Ronaldson, chief executive of Saffron Housing Trust – unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Staff and residents at the centre then celebrated with a party.

Mr MacKim said: “Grays Fair Court is a superb facility and we are very pleased to have worked with our partners at Age Concern Norfolk and Norfolk County Council to create this modern and progressive sheltered housing scheme.

“We are sure that our Saffron sheltered housing tenants will enjoy the impressive range of facilities, which includes a cinema, while enjoying the support provided by our staff.”

Mr Mowle said: “I’m honoured to be officially opening what I believe will be a real asset for social care in Norfolk.

“Encouraging independence for older people is at the very core of what we’re striving for within Adult Social Services.

“Grays Fair Court is a first-class facility and very much represents the future of care for older people.

“I am absolutely sure it will be followed by many other similar resources across the county as we continue to transform the provision of social care in Norfolk.”

Hilary MacDonald, chief executive of Age Concern Norfolk, added: “We are delighted to be celebrating the opening of this new building and the relocation of our services previously operated from Ethel Tipple Court in Hellesdon.

“It provides an excellent opportunity for the development of services that really meet individual needs.

“Guests staying in the Age Concern Norfolk respite wing, for example, are able to benefit from good size bedrooms with en suite facilities as well as access to a shared internet facility, shop, hairdressing salon, coffee bar and can if they wish, choose to relax in the impressive atrium area open to respite guests, day service users and sheltered housing tenants.”