Retirement village opens first phase on former Powergen site - The Solihull Observer

Retirement village opens first phase on former Powergen site

Solihull Editorial 16th Dec, 2019   0

THE FIRST phase of a £61.5million care village has opened its doors on the former Powergen site in Shirley.

Children from Haslucks Green Junior School joined the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis, to sing Christmas songs as they opened the brand new show home at Solihull Retirement Village.

The village, a partnership between registered charity, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Solihull Council is being built on nearly four acres of land on the former Powergen site in Shirley between Stratford Road and Haslucks Green Road.

Schoolchildren helped visitors get in the festive spirit before joining the Mayor to officially cut the ribbon.




Helen Street, headteacher, said: “It has been our privilege over the last year to work closely in partnership with ExtraCare.

“As our partnership has developed, it has become crystal clear that what we are wanting are the same things. Better lives for our older people and better lives for our younger people. The values which we both strive towards: compassion, empowerment, collaboration are values which can be passed from generation to generation – and hopefully make the world a better place.


“Our partnership has undoubtedly strengthened the bonds between the younger and older generations in the best way possible enabling both young and old to be ‘the best that they can be’.”

Children from the Stoneford Road school have been involved in an intergenerational project with residents from ExtraCare’s Longbridge Village.

Together, they have produced a poetry book, which will raise funds for future projects between the children and Solihull Retirement Village.

Mick Laverty, chief executive of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said: “At The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, we are committed to supporting a new kind of retirement living, by creating sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed.

“At this village, our aim is to empower older people to be at the heart of community life, sharing interests and sociable activities with opportunities for volunteering too.”

The leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Ian Courts, who also attended the event, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress made with ExtraCare’s retirement village, here in Solihull. This will be a great development for the people of Solihull and it is heartening to see the investment that is being made locally in new home for the retired community.

“I’m confident the village will become a key asset of the Solihull area, bringing residents and the community, of all ages, together.”

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