“Beautiful and welcoming” housing with care scheme opens its doors in Southampton

With 83 one and two-bedroom homes, the Southampton City Council-run Potters Court in Maybush is the largest housing with care scheme in the city, offering independent living for adults with care and support needs.

Housing with care (also known as “extra care”) provides tenants with the privacy and independence of their own flat, plus the reassurance of onsite support and 24-hour care.

Tenants with significant needs, including those with dementia, can be supported, as well as those who are more independent but still require some care to treat lesser health conditions. Help is on hand in emergencies, such as falls or unexpected illness, throughout the day and night, offering extra peace of mind to tenants and their families.

Each of the affordable rent Potters Court homes benefits from:

• A modern, open-plan living area with stylish kitchen
• An accessible wet room
• A balcony or terrace area
• A door entry system
• An accredited telecare support system, providing 24-hour contact
• Energy-efficient heating (thanks to the use of ground-source heat pumps and PV panels)
• Full wheelchair accessibility

The Wimpson Lane scheme has been built by Drew Smith Group (Vistry Partnerships) to a high standard, and features a modern interior, landscaped gardens and a range of facilities, including:

• A restaurant, which will be open to the public later in the year
• Communal lounges, where tenants and members of the local community can enjoy and help to develop a programme of social activities
• A health and wellbeing suite
• A laundry room
• Wi-fi in communal areas

The site is also home to Kiln Court, a smaller block of 15 flats, for people aged over 50. Kiln Court tenants will be able to use the facilities at Potters Court, and access support services, when they need to.

Councillor Ivan White, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Southampton City Council, joined Vicky Eagle (Drew Smith Group), Lisa Haynes (Southampton City Council) and Michelle Coles and Mandi Tate (Apex Prime Care) to celebrate the completion of Potters Court before the first tenants moved in.

Councillor White said: “Potters Court is a beautiful and welcoming scheme, which is designed to provide a home from home for tenants with care and support needs. With the benefit of their own self-contained flat, front door and tenancy – plus access to a range of modern communal facilities and support services – tenants will be able to live independently for longer, safe in the knowledge that care is available when they need it. I very much hope the new tenants moving in will be happy here, and I wish the team the best in making the scheme a success.”

Adrian Cator, Managing Director, Drew Smith (Vistry Partnerships), added: “It has been great working with Southampton City Council, building on our already successful relationship. Potters Court is more than a building; it will create a vibrant new community, and we are excited to welcome the new residents, seeing first-hand what a positive impact the scheme has on people with care needs in Southampton.”