A spacious new residents dayroom is being provided at Chirgwin Court, at Penzance, where 50 people live in sheltered accommodation. It will cost £100,000 and should prove a big asset to the elderly and disabled residents.
Andy Moore, Chief Executive of Penwith Housing Association, commented: "The aim is to provide an additional social side for tenants and in the longer term to generate activities there".
It will be opened by Penwith District Council member, Chris Goninan of St Just, on Friday 1st December 2006. He is the Chairman of the Council's Older Persons Forum.
Chirgwin Court, built in 1970 and replacing old cottages in Queen Street, was named after the first woman to be Mayor of the former borough (1955), Alderman Agatha Chirgwin, a Freeman, who took a special interest in housing.
Gail Hunt, Chair of the Association, remarked: "This new facility is one of our key schemes in Penzance. We are very grateful for the support from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, through West Cornwall Together. This has allowed us to extend the amenities for our residents and to involve partner agencies in providing services".
The Support Worker at Chirgwin Court is Annette Swiggs. Carol Robins, joint manager with Steve Adey of some 730 sheltered properties in Penwith, warmly welcomed this "nice new facility". It is a large conservatory room, with a view to the sea, and will help all the residents to meet together.
The Association was the first supported housing provider in Cornwall to receive 'Supporting People' accreditation. Carol is setting up an Association's 'Older Person Forum' for there are around 1,000 elderly and disabled in their properties in the district.
"We can consult with residents about how to further improve the service. They can help us to do that for we would like practical ideas to come from them" she added.
