Spring Bank Court

Blackburn, Housing 21

Description of Scheme

Spring Bank Court in Blackburn is an Extra Care housing scheme for older people which opened in October 2007. It was developed by Housing 21 in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and NHS Blackburn with Darwen PCT. The scheme provides 36 one bedroom and four two bedroom extra care apartments along with eight two bedroom bungalows for rent. Eight two bedroom bungalows are also available on the same site for sale under a shared ownership basis.

What really sets it apart from other extra care schemes though is the Day Support Unit for between 12 to 15 local community clients and the NHS clinic facility, which offers a variety of clinics, including The Healthy Leg Clinic.

Spring Bank Court's open access to services has helped the scheme develop as a focal point or hub within the local community. For example, people may attend the clinic with a specific health need but will also experience the other facilities on offer within the Court, such as the shop, restaurant/café or hairdressing salon. Establishing such services locally has clear benefits to people in the wider community.

Where Is It?

Spring Bank Court is located in an established community known as Mill Hill, close to existing shops and amenities, bus and rail links and a dial a ride service. The location is ideal as it had been identified that there is a high proportion of older people living within the locality. Whilst local people have been re-housed here it is also attracting residents from a little further out of the area but still within Blackburn and Darwen's boundaries.

Residents Information

"I moved to Spring Bank Court from 6 years in Residential Care. It has been the best move I have ever made and I love every moment of living in this beautiful environment"

"Absolutely marvellous"

Proximity

A wide range of shops are 500m away, on New Chapel Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, and the local community centre and library are a about ¼ of a mile from the site.

Relevant Local Strategy

The Extra Care Strategy 2004 highlighted a need for 150 Extra Care places in Blackburn with Darwen. The Capacity Planning Model for Social Services for Older People indicated that we should have 95 units by 2005/6. At the time we have 36 units, leaving us a shortfall of 59 units.

The demographics show that by 2025 the total population in the Borough will reach over 150,000 with the largest percentage increases being in the group aged 75-79 (39%) and those aged 85 and over (34%). The combination of greater demand for services and more age related health ailments will create the need for more extra care services to address quite complex needs including higher levels of dementia, people with limiting long term conditions and emerging groups such as Learning disabilities.

Our current housing supply does not meet fitness for purpose for older people and our priority is to change the accommodation profile to meet these needs. Our target is to have 500 extra care units in place by 2015. The success of this scheme has led to a further successful bid for developing an extra scheme in Blackburn with Darwen (Kingsway).

Care Services

Extra Care scheme with on-site care staff, non-resident management staff

Facilities

• Restaurant
• Shop
• Hairdressing salon
• Communal lounge
• Outside recreation area.

Address

Spring Bank Terrace
Mill Hill
Blackburn
BB2 4GU

Scheme Location Map