Housing with care scheme in Blackburn opens for applications

The Albion Mill housing with care development scheme in Blackburn is moving into its final construction phase.

The scheme is open to adults in the Blackburn with Darwen area with an assessed need for care and/or support, including people with disabilities, health conditions and dementia.

There will be one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments built, available to rent and suitable for couples or individuals.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said trained staff will be available onsite to give residents the support they need, when they need it.

The development will also feature a communal hub with restaurant/café, lounge, hairdressers and salon along with landscaped gardens and views over the canal.

The spokesman said the scheme will focus on supporting individuals to access the community, and residents will be encouraged to attend activities and social gatherings onsite taking account of cultural and religious beliefs. Care will be tailored to individual needs such as personal care and taking medicines.

The scheme will also house an intermediate care facility, which will provide short-term rehabilitation services to Blackburn with Darwen residents.

The intermediate care facility will offer a range of integrated services to promote faster recovery from illness, prevent unnecessary acute hospital admission and premature admission to short and long-term residential care.

It will also support timely discharge from hospital and maximise independent living.

Cllr Musafa Desai, executive member for adult services and prevention at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

‘Following on from the success of similar schemes in the borough, such as the popular Riverside Heights development in Darwen, we’re delighted to be able to offer Blackburn with Darwen residents with care needs this exciting new housing option.

‘We’re currently assessing people for places, so if this is something you or a family member might be interested in, please get in touch.’

Dr Mark Dziobon, medical director at NHS Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

‘This is a perfect example of the borough’s vision around integration, where health and social care can work together effectively to make a difference to people’s lives.

‘It will go a long way to ensuring our residents can live comfortably and with as much independence as possible.’

Located in the Ewood area of Blackburn on the former site of Albion Mill, the new housing and intermediate care scheme has been developed through a partnership between Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group and Inclusion Housing. With building work undertaken by Verum Victum Healthcare.

If you’re interested in applying for the scheme please call 01254 666572 or email Quality.Assurance@blackburn.gov.uk.

Photo Credit – Blackburn With Darwen Council