Pictured above: Tracy Arms, Manager, Brookvale Care Home with residents

Brookvale Care Home in Olton, Solihull has commenced works on a major redevelopment programme to upgrade facilities for the 60 elderly residents and improve even further its standards of excellence in care.

Nearly £400,000 is being spent on transforming Brookvale, a Heart of England Care Home at 111, Warwick Road, with remodelled bedrooms and lounge areas, upgraded bathrooms, kitchen and dining facilities and an attractive new entrance and welcoming reception.

"It is a significant investment, especially at a time when news of social care budget cuts is so topical," said Phil Bell, General Manager of Heart of England Care.

"We have also just received planning permission for a new conservatory which will be built at the rear overlooking the spacious and mature gardens. Also with energy efficiency in mind, we are replacing all 127 single glazed windows with UPVC double glazed units, installing a movement sensor lighting scheme and further roof insulation."

Brookvale was originally built in the 1970s and provides residential care for elderly people with dementia and related illnesses.

Tracey Arms, who has been Manager at Brookvale for the past three years added: "Because our residents regard Brookvale as their home, we felt it was really important that they were fully involved in the programme and had an input into the changes.

"We therefore took time to consult them about specifications for the dining areas and bathrooms and have welcomed their contemporary and colourful choices for the tiling and flooring."

Phil Bell added: "Heart of England Care is a not for profit charity and prides itself on offering personal, individual care, 24 hours a day to long or short stay residents and respite clients.

"We are totally focussed on maintaining the very highest standards and continually investing in the well being and best interest of our residents.

"It is a very exciting development and with no notable disruption to our residents they will be able to stay with us whilst the work is being undertaken."

The new scheme, which is scheduled for completion early Autumn, has been designed by Redditch-based a.i.architecture.  The firm has previously worked with Heart of England Care on the extension of their Erdington based Hurstway Care Home.