Two Jewish Care facilities in Hendon are to close with users relocating to the charity’s Asher Loftus Way development in Friern Barnet.
News of the anticipated 2015 transfer was this week relayed to residents and staff of Ella and Ridley Jacobs House and those involved in the adjacent Sam Beckman day care dementia facility.
The decision to relocate the Jacobs House residents followed a study which concluded that the Hendon premises were unsuitable for a modern care home. The Asher Loftus Way site will provide specialist residential and day care for around 250 people. There will be increased facilities for Sam Beckman users when the centre moves. Staff at the affected sites will be offered posts at Asher Loftus Way.
Jewish Care chief executive Simon Morris appreciated that “any news of change brings with it questions and some anxiety. Our focus now is to work closely with residents, clients, families, our staff, volunteers and the wider community to ensure that we support them through this change.”
Charity chair Steven Lewis pointed out that “the quality of our care is consistent across the board. However, we know we have a lot of work to do to ensure our physical spaces match the quality care. These plans form the next chapter in our ‘building for the future’ programme, focused on providing quality specialist care and support in modern facilities.”
Jewish Care wants to redevelop the Hendon site into independent living flats for the elderly and will be submitting plans to Barnet Council. Initial studies suggest the potential for up to 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The six-storey Jacobs House has 46 bedrooms. There are currently 38 residents and the charity will continue to offer places, with a guaranteed transfer to an Asher Loftus Way home. If a Jacobs House resident declined to move to Asher Loftus Way, “we will support them to find a suitable alternative within or outside of Jewish Care”.
Over £13.75 million has to date been raised from the community towards the £15.6 million Asher Loftus Way project costs. The estimated cost of redeveloping the Hendon site is £8.5 million, which will be met through a mix of bank borrowing and social finance.
