The Assets Team has continued to be hard to deliver a range of improvement projects across our regions as part of our ongoing major works programme.
Works to our Clifford Court development in Stockport are now complete. The £1 million 12-month programme at the scheme has included significant improvements to the scheme of 87 flats spread across 10 blocks providing sheltered and rented accommodation. This has included major internal and external communal refurbishments including new floor coverings in each block, new meter over boxes, decoration, lighting, and new block entrance doors. All the flats have also had new entrance doors fitted and customers in the rented accommodation have seen the installation of a new intercom system.
The communal areas in the sheltered block at Clifford Court have also been updated to include a new open plan kitchen and an enlarged lounge. Other improvements include a new patio, staff office and WC, new heating, suspended ceilings, fire doors and modernised staircases with glass panels. The Team has also made improvements to the existing insulation at the scheme and completed essential fire stopping works and installed new loft hatches, where needed. The work did not stop at the inside with improvements also being made to the outside areas at the scheme. These included new external lighting, signage, car park bays, bin storage, fencing and restored boundary walls. The project has been a major undertaking and is a testament to the hard work of the team in ensuring the successful delivery led by Kulsoom Hussain.
In Oldham, work is almost completed on the renovation of our NHS Key Worker accommodation at the Royal Oldham Hospital with new roofing being installed. Oak House and Beech House contain 52 rooms managed by Great Places for medical professionals coming to work in the local area. Built in the 1970s the accommodation was in desperate need of an update. Following a successful renovation pilot scheme last year, the project has seen updates to the rooms, bathrooms, communal lounge, and bedrooms in both blocks.
On the other side of the Pennines the team has supported the Community Investment Team in updating the facilities at our Richmond Park neighbourhood community centre in Sheffield. Steven Gayle, our Community Partnership Manager in the region, initially approached the Team to ask if we could install a new kitchen and disabled access toilet at the Centre. The existing kitchen facilities were dated while the toilet also needed updating and installing adaptions to make it accessible for everyone. As part of our social value programme the Team was able to approach our contractors and Novus Solutions kindly agreed to carry out the works free of charge.
Finally, the Team was recently asked by colleagues in Independence & Wellbeing to undertake internal improvement works at our Cornish Close Scheme (pictured above). Cornish Close is managed by Turning Point who deliver specialist community, residential, supported living, respite, educational and day opportunities services for children and adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health, and complex needs. It consists of 5 bungalows which have staff onsite 24/7. The aim of the works, carried out by our contractors Emmanuel Whittaker, was to make improvements to the facilities, the appearance, and safety measures for customers at the scheme. This included installing new kitchens, bathrooms including adaptions and new specialist hoist systems.
The improvements will make a real difference for customers at Cornish Close and the feedback on the works from Turning Point staff who manage the scheme was extremely positive, with the contractors working closely with them to ensure minimal disruption for customers.
