Latest news with #CareSouth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for 62-bed care home and assisted living village at former garden centre
PLANS have been lodged to build a 62-bed care home with 48 assisted care properties at an abandoned garden centre. Care South, a not-for-profit care provider, has applied to BCP Council to approve a full planning application seeking the redevelopment of the former Oaks Garden Centre as a care village. Located off Queen Anne Drive in Merley, the plans include older persons accommodation with specialist residential care and dementia care facilities. A design and access statement prepared by Corstorphine & Wright, on behalf of Care South, said: 'The redevelopment would make the best use of a brownfield site within the green belt to help fulfil the urgent need for specialised older persons' accommodation in the local area. 'The site would also meet the definition of a 'grey belt' site as defined in the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework." Care South acquired the former Oaks Garden centre site in 2023 with the purpose of redeveloping it to provide a range of accommodation for older people with care to serve the local area. The care provider has an existing portfolio of 15 care homes, eight of which are located in the Bournemouth, Poole and the Ringwood area. The site is located on the southern side of Queen Anne Drive adjacent to the urban area of Merley. It connects to Gravel Hill to the west and Ringwood Road to the east. The site covers 1.64ha hectares and is categorised as previously developed land within the green belt The site has two existing vehicular accesses from Queen Anne Drive, which previously served the garden centre. The site has a lengthy planning history, with past permissions for uses including retail, business, scaffolding storage, and various structures now deemed lawful through long-term use. In recent years, unauthorised activities such as car sales, coach repairs and vehicle washing led to complaints and enforcement action. Care South purchased the site in 2023, and it is now vacant. The applicant says the proposed redevelopment offers a chance to meet local need and improve the appearance of the area. Adding: 'The proposal will provide much needed accommodation and will improving the aesthetic approach to Merley.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bournemouth care home celebrates World Book Day with children
Care home residents were joined by children dressed as their favourite characters to celebrate World Book Day. The residents at Castle Dene on Throop Road, Bournemouth, enjoyed a special World Book Day-themed session led by Faye Stuart from the Truth Be Told storytelling project. The weekly sessions are attended by children from St Barnabas Pre School and have different themes each week to spark the residents' imagination. This week, the children were encouraged to dress as their favourite storybook characters, including Snow White, Rapunzel, a unicorn, Spiderman and Iron Man. READ MORE: World Book Day 2025: send the Daily Echo your pictures Castle Dene care home residents enjoy World Book Day session with local children (Image: Care South) The children were invited to join a resident to dance, sing songs, and read books including The Magic Faraway Tree, Paddington and The Cat in the Hat. Betty, who lives at Castle Dene care home, said: "I used to run a nursery, so I enjoyed seeing the children, especially the child that danced along to the music with me." The children also sang to resident George who was celebrating his birthday during the session. Afterwards, George said: "It was lovely. I really enjoyed it. "It was the joy of the little ones that made my day." Lana Wright, home manager at Castle Dene, said: "It was wonderful to see the smiles on our residents' faces as the St Barnabas Pre School children arrived wearing their costumes."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
£1,000 cash injection donated to vital hospital charity
A major donation has been made to a vital Dorset Charity. Residential and care at home provider and registered charity, Care South, has donated a whopping £1,000 to the Dorset County Hospital Charity. The cause was chosen as the company's latest Community Fund beneficiary by Sarah Broom, Care South at Home Manager for West Dorset and Somerset. Dorset County Hospital's new £100 million emergency department and critical care unit is due to be completed in 2027. The hospital's charity team are looking to raise £2.5 million to fund enhanced facilities in the new building, including a critical care paediatric bed facility, critical care patient garden and medical equipment. The Emergency and Critical Care Appeal also looks to fundraise staff rest facilities, and a specialist child and adolescent mental health suite in the emergency department. Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, said: 'We are proud to support Dorset County Hospital's Emergency and Critical Care Appeal with a £1,000 donation from our Community Fund. 'Many of our Care at Home clients living in Dorset rely on the hospital's vital services, as do the wider community, so it's great to be able to give back to such a worthy cause. We look forward to seeing the impact of these enhanced facilities on patient care and staff wellbeing in the future. Simon Pearson, Head of Charity and Social Value at DCH, said: 'This donation will help us to create enhanced facilities that will benefit both patients and staff.'
