Ramsbottom Centre opens for business

A new base for people with learning disabilities is now officially open for business.

The Ramsbottom Centre is the latest phase of Bury Council’s plans to modernise services and provide fit-for-purpose venues close to people’s local community.

It has already led to the opening of a new venue in Clarence Park (The Green), with more to come, which will also allow for the much-needed replacement of Wheatfields Day Centre.

The Ramsbottom Centre is a partnership between the developer, Great Places Housing Group, and Bury Council and is part of the redevelopment of the Hazelhurst elderly persons’ home and Whittle Pike day centre sites.

The Ramsbottom site, as well as offering day services, has been redeveloped to provide 32 bungalows and 14 purpose-built apartments specifically designed to meet the needs of people over 55. The properties have been designed to meet Lifetime Homes, with level access and generous living spaces to enable future aids and adaptations.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This purpose-built development is great for Bury’s older people to come and live in modern, high quality accommodation: as part of that development, we have this excellent facility for our local people with a learning disability. Our modernisation plan is about providing day services for people with a learning disability in purpose built, modern, stimulating environments. This facility in Ramsbottom is all about people getting services close to their homes and within their own communities.”

Matthew Harrison, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, said: “We’re delighted that Ramsbottom Day Care Centre has now opened – it’s great to see it being used and enjoyed by people within the community, and the feedback so far has been really positive.

“The centre is the result of a successful partnership between Great Places and Bury Council, and has been carefully designed to ensure that it sits neatly within the wider residential development. At Great Places we’re not just about providing homes – we also want to help build sustainable communities, and I know that this excellent facility will help us do this at Hazelhurst.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 September 2015.

Picture: Cllr Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, at the new Ramsbottom Centre.