31/01/2012 - Pupils help unveil show apartment at new extra care development

Pupils from Guns Village Primary School joined Thomas Vale Construction and Sandwell Council bosses to unveil a show apartment at Goldfield Court in West Bromwich.

The school children, who were instrumental in coming up with the name for the 93 apartment scheme for older people, had the chance to see how the building is coming along.

They joined Councillor Simon Hackett, the council's cabinet member for housing, and Councillor Ann Jaron, the council's cabinet member for adult social care.

The name 'Goldfield' was chosen following research by the students. They discovered that during Norman times the local area was covered in a gold-yellow flowering shrub called broom.

The £12.5 million extra care development for older people will offer 24 hour on-site flexible care and support services.

It is now reaching the final stages of construction. The show apartment will be available for the public to view through escorted tours at a special information day which is being held on Tuesday 7 February, 12-6pm, at Mother Teresa House in Baker Street, West Bromwich.

Partners in the project include Sandwell Council, Housing 21, Thomas Vale Construction and the Homes and Communities Agency, which helped with funding of £5 million.

The scheme's communal on-site facilities include a restaurant and a hair and beauty salon. Residents will benefit from specialist features that will enable independent living within a secure environment.