21/07/10 - Pupils Tell Story of New Extra Care Development

Youngsters have been finding out more about the new Queensridge Court in Queensway and reporting on their very own blogging site.

Queensridge Court is set to open in the autumn and will have 87 self-contained apartments for the over 55s with community facilities including a shop, hair salon and restaurant. The scheme is funded by Sandwell Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and Housing 21 and is being built by Thomas Vale Construction.

Thomas Vale's Partnership and Development Director Ian Cox said: "This innovative project has allowed us to make contact with hundreds of enthusiastic students. We hope many of the girls and boys will consider a future in the construction sector."

The children visited the site and met with Sandwell Council's housing partnerships team and staff from Thomas Vale.Pupils also asked members of the public what they thought about the scheme by putting together a questionnaire.

Their hard work culminated in a special presentation from Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and families, Cllr Bob Badham.

He said: "It's great to see young people getting involved in such an important project and also for them to be getting involved in blogging at primary school age. My granddaughter was one of the children who took part and she really enjoyed it, I'm very proud of all of them."

The development, named Queensridge Court by students from Brandhall Primary, is part of the council's multi-million pound programme providing extra care housing in Sandwell to enable more independent living for older people.

Julia Godwin, Development Programme Manager for Housing 21 addedd: “It is delightful to see local children involved in this way and I am sure they will have gained a lot from the experience.”

HCA has invested £6 million in the scheme, with £6 million being made up from a mix of a council contributions and funding secured by Housing 21.