A new £2.1m base where the latest technology will help vulnerable residents live safely at home has officially opened.
The state-of-the-art Assisted Living Leeds building at Leeds Dock was opened by civic leaders, staff and some of the people already using the range of technologies that will be based there.
As part of the event, a commemorative plaque was unveiled and a time capsule was sealed containing memories of the council’s Community Equipment Service, which relocated to the site after more than two decades in its former base at Roundhay.
A partnership between the council and the local NHS, the project has seen a vacant building revitalised with a new reception, office area, training space, meeting rooms, and assessment facilities.
As well as housing the Community Equipment Service, which provides equipment for daily living and nursing needs at home, the space will also include the council’s Telecare service, which enables vulnerable residents to stay safe by fitting sensors and alarms around the house.
It can also include a bogus caller alert system, which allows residents to inform the Telecare team if they are concerned about someone who knocks at their door.
Assisted Living Leeds is also the new base for the blue badge assessment service.
Attending the grand opening was Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Adam Ogilvie, executive board member for adult social care and Cllr Lisa Mulherin, executive member for health and wellbeing.
They were joined by Cllr Brian Selby, chair of the Leeds Community Equipment Service and Telecare partnership board, Tom Riordan, the council’s chief executive and Dennis Holmes, the council’s interim director of adult social services.
Councillor Ogilvie said:
“This is a very special day because Assisted Living Leeds is absolutely integral to our efforts to help vulnerable residents live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
“The number of people telling us that’s what they want to do is increasing all the time, so it’s more important than ever that they have quick, easy access to the equipment and technology which will give them the best possible choice and control.
“Assisted Living Leeds is a one stop centre for those who want to adapt their homes and make them a more safe and comfortable environment.
“It’s also a place the city can be very proud of and which puts us at the forefront of providing modern, integrated services under one roof.”
Sam Prince, Director of Operations at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust added:
“This is a remarkable day as the opening of Assisted Living Leeds in this amazing new facility is the culmination of over a decade of partnership working between health and social care.
“We have been able to harness the passion and commitment from partners across Leeds and lead by example to demonstrate that we are at the forefront of delivering high quality care, to ensure that people in our city can have the resources and support they need to live independent lives at home.”
The cost of the refurbishment has been covered by a Department of Health Community Capacity Grant, allocated to the project by the council’s executive board.
