In February 2008, work started on Abbeyfields new extra care development in Castleton, North Yorkshire, a project that has taken eight years to come to fruition.
Older people in the upper Esk Valley, on the North York Moors, currently face moving miles away from friends and relatives to an urban environment when managing their own homes becomes too demanding. Conventional home help is often unavailable in this remote area, so older people usually have to move to faraway towns such as Whitby.
Once built, 12 self-contained flats will be available for rent by local older people. The development will include a day centre, which will be operated in partnership with Esk Moors Caring, a local group, to provide support services across the top of the valley. Esk Moors Caring already runs some activities for local older people, such as keep fit and swimming lessons, as well as minibus trips to lunch, the theatre and cinema. The group will relocate from its current office in a former butcher's shop in Castleton to the new day centre once it's opened.
The scheme is due to open in December 2008 - for more information please call 01727 857536
