Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for older people, have taken the keys to a new purpose-built residential care home in Skipton, bringing the number of care homes in its portfolio to 120.
The Mill House, a 94-bed home in Sackville Street, including eight residential care apartments in the adjoining historic Mill Lodge, won the Development of the Year category at the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards 2023.
Built for Hadrian Healthcare by construction company Walter Thompson, Anchor exchanged contracts in September last year to acquire the home – together with a second home being built for Hadrian Healthcare in Roundhay, Leeds, and due to open in Summer 2024. Anchor previously acquired five Hadrian Healthcare homes in 2019.
The Mill House offers a highly individualised style of living, including a hair and beauty salon, café bar, and private landscaped gardens in a tranquil canal-side setting.
Anchor Chief Executive Sarah Jones, said: “The Mill House is a great addition to our care homes and a very visual example of how, in this case through our continuing relationship with Hadrian Healthcare, we create homes where people love living in later life. Residents will instantly notice the considerable attention to detail which has gone into creating the high-quality décor and furnishings.
“Important too is the commitment to creating a sustainable and energy-efficient home. It’s built to an Energy Performance Certificate A rating standard, with a focus on sustainable heating systems and generating renewable energy through solar panels.
“At a time when there is a shortage of quality care homes being built across the country to replace ageing stock, I’m really pleased that Anchor is looking ahead to ensure we are meeting the changing needs of residents. Our Business Plan states we will invest to create more and better homes – and The Mill House is a clear example of that commitment”.
The Mill House’s first residents, as well as its care team, will come from an established Anchor care – Thornton Hill – a few miles away. That smaller home, which was built more than a century ago, will close when all residents have moved to The Mill House.
Toni Fletcher, resident at Thornton Hill, said: “I’m really excited about our move to The Mill House. I’ve been to look round with my daughter, and I love the new home particularly the gardens, it’ll be a lovely place to sit and enjoy the sunshine. My new room is lovely and I’m looking forward to spending time in the beautiful lounges with my friends. I’m pleased that we’re all moving over together with our friends and the lovely people who care for us.”
Ian Watson, Chairman of Hadrian Healthcare Group, said: “Hadrian Healthcare continues to raise the standards of care and accommodation for older people and we are delighted to have completed and handed over this amazing new Home, The Mill House Skipton, to Anchor. Having worked closely with Anchor in the past, we know they share our commitment and focus to be the best”.