Anchor care home gets Government seal of approval

Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, paid a visit to residents and staff at Greenhive residential home in Peckham this week as part of celebrations to mark the successful redevelopment by Anchor Homes of Southwark's stock of residential care homes.

Following a short speech to assembled guests the Chief Secretary cut a celebratory cake and mingled with residents and staff before returning to Whitehall.

With more people now aged over 65 than fall into the under 16 age bracket, the issues facing older people today are now higher on the government's agenda than ever.

Mr Boateng said:

“Decent housing is the bedrock of stability and security, two important concepts for this Government and the people of Britain. Having a roof over your head is the first step, but receiving proper care when it is needed most is also vital. Anchor Homes has done much to improve the quality of this care in Southwark by rebuilding and improving the facilities.”

Jane Ashcroft, Managing Director of Care Services at Anchor Trust, said:

“Residents now enjoy a much higher standard of care, with private rooms in the new homes more than double the size of those in the original buildings. This has a huge impact on quality of life for the people here. The success of this project shows that high quality residential care remains an essential option for many older people.”

This ambitious project represents a significant step forward in the approach to caring for older people and commenced when Southwark's stock of five residential homes was officially transferred to Anchor Homes on 1 December 2000. The rebuild programme started immediately. There are now four purpose-built facilities on sites in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, as well as in Peckham. Building took place on the site of two older residential homes, as well as two brownfield sites provided by Southwark Council under the terms of the agreement.

Moving is a difficult experience for anyone and every effort was made to ensure that the transfer to the new homes was as stress-free as possible. In consultation with staff and relatives, each resident was able to choose which home, and which room within the home, they transferred to.

Among the residents introduced to Mr Boateng was Zdenka Pokorna who, at 99 years of age, is Greenhive's oldest resident. A Czech national, Zdenka was awarded the Order of Merit in 2001 by President Vaclav Havel for her bravery in helping escapees across the border to Slovakia and Hungary during the war.

Staff, residents and guests enjoyed a buffet lunch before bidding farewell to their special guest.

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