New housing and care development helps community access pool

A new Extra Care Living court on Ashwood Close in Helmsley, owned by Housing 21, has provided funds for hoist equipment at the recently restored Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool.

The newly restored destination is currently fundraising for equipment to help disabled people to enter and exit the pool safely. Housing 21, which has built the new Extra Care Living court, Bransdale View, was keen to help the pool because of its regular morning swim times for older people.

Following the successful opening of Bransdale View in May, representatives of Housing 21 were delighted to present a donation of £153 to the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool. The sum represented a £1 donation from Housing 21 for every person who attended the open day at Bransdale View in April.

Bransdale View offers independent living for people over the age of 55. The court has one and two bedroom apartments available for affordable rent and shared ownership. As part of Housing 21’s Extra Care Living offer, residents at Bransdale View benefit from optional tailored care and support, which is available 24 hours a day from the on-site team.

Carol Swift, fundraising manager at Helmsley Recreational Charity said: “We are delighted with the support shown by Housing 21, we do hope that the residents of Bransdale View will enjoy using the pool!”

Andrea Brazil, housing and care manager at Bransdale View said: “It’s great that we can support the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool with this donation towards the hoist. Hopefully some of our residents may now be able to enjoy the pool when it is installed.

“The staff and I at Bransdale View very much wish to become part of the community as most of our staff are from Helmsley, and this is just the start of a good community relationship”.

The purpose built properties have been designed to provide fully accessible facilities including a residents’ lounge, activity room, assisted bathing suite and landscaped gardens.