The Yorkshire based operator Ideal Care Homes, met with members of Barnsley Council today to discuss its plans for a state-of-the-art care home which will open in Royston later this year.

Mark Greaves, Managing Director at Ideal Care Homes discussed his vision for Oakwood Grange with Councillors Tim Cheetham, Bill Newman and Graham Kyte at the soon-to-be finished home and all were united in their wish for the home to provide unparalled care for the community's elderly population in addition to around fifty new jobs for the area.

Mark Greaves said: ''It's important to everyone at Ideal Care Homes that Oakwood Grange becomes a real asset to the community, not only as a welcoming home for local residents but also as a first rate place to work. I'm delighted that we have been able to recruit such a high calibre manager in Susan Dooler who has a real feeling for the needs of the local community, and as someone who grew up in the area I'm very pleased to be working with Barnsley Council to ensure Oakwood Grange's seamless integration into every day life here in Royston.'

Meanwhile Cllr Tim Cheetham added: ''We are very pleased to be able to find a partner to continue older persons care on the Oakwood site and provide a top quality facility for local people. With our ambitious plans to build a new school, our new extra care facility and other public works around Royston we could not have done this out of the public purse anytime soon. We hope to work closely with Ideal Care Homes in the coming months and they are enthusiastic about playing a full part in our community. '

The new bespoke facility which was built by Ideal Care Homes sister company LNT Construction, will provide 62 beds for older people with levels of dementia. The home will have fully landscaped gardens, a courtyard, a hairdressing salon and attractive floor to ceiling windows in lounge areas.

The closure of the original home coincided with the opening of the Westmeads Extra Care facility which, along with Barnsley Council's whole approach to care for older people, was highly praised by Older Peoples Champion Sir Michael Parkinson after his recent visit.

<< click here to go back to the news menu