Sod cut at Maidment Court

20 March 2015

107-year-old determined to walk into newly rebuilt care home

A 107-year-old Poole woman, whose care home is to be redeveloped into a brand new complex, used the ground cutting ceremony to declare her intention to walk into the new building.

Miriam Lenton lives at Maidment Court on Parkstone Road. The 45-place residential care home is part of MHA, the national charity providing accommodation, care and support to 16,000 older people. The 1970s building is now being replaced by a state-of-the-art retirement living development from Midas Construction Southern, part of The Midas Group, one of the largest independent construction companies in the South West.

Speaking shortly before the ground cutting ceremony for the new building, Miriam, who experiences some mobility issues, said, “I am determined to walk into the new building when it is completed. I am thrilled to bits about the new build. I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it.”

Midas teams will create two new blocks. Phase 1 will comprise 40 studios for rent along with the shared communal facilities, accommodating the residents of the existing care home as the work gets underway.   Phase 2 will see the creation of 47 one and two bedroom apartments, available for mixed tenure. Both blocks will provide high quality care and support.

The existing care home will remain open so residents and staff can transfer to the first new building once it is complete, before the older structure is fully demolished.

Miriam added, “I am very happy living here, I am comfortable.  Everybody is kind and I think I am thoroughly spoilt!  I do what I can for myself, I’m not told what to do, and staff help me where I need it.”

Karl Hallows, Development Director at MHA, said, “The new retirement living with care development will enable residents to continue receiving high quality care and support in spacious, attractive and modern surroundings. We are really pleased to be able to offer this new service.”

Paul Strachan, Divisional Director, Midas Construction, said: “We are delighted to be building the new state-of-the-art care apartments for MHA. As part of our commitment to investing in the communities which we work in, we have engaged the local supply chain where possible to support the local Dorset economy.  This project adds to our extensive extra care experience, with the Southern division of Midas having £45m worth of care sector work currently in progress over five schemes.”

An established charity of over 70 years’ standing, MHA is one of the most well-respected care providers in the sector and amongst the largest charities in Britain. Maidment Court opened in 1972 and was named after a family which left land and resources to finance the home.

Midas Southern is a thriving division of The Midas Group and is currently managing a number of key construction projects in Dorset and the wider South East area.