Castleoak, Raglan House, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8BA
www.castleoak.co.uk
For information contact Susan James or Ceri Anstee on 029 2054 8800
Press Release
20 January 2015
MHA and Castleoak celebrate opening of marketing suite for new assisted
living apartments in Swindon
Methodist Homes (MHA) has celebrated the opening of its marketing suite at its new
assisted living development in Swindon with a tree planting ceremony with Castleoak, its
construction partner.
Assisted living apartments at Fitzwarren Court will be available from spring 2015. The 33
one- and two-bed apartments and four studios are offered for sale, rent or part-purchase.
Sales interest has been strong with 30% reserved off-plan already.
Karl Hallows, Development Director at MHA says: “Fitzwarren Court assisted living will be
real asset to MHA’s portfolio. We are offering a flexible alternative to residential care with
attractive, carefully designed assisted living apartments. Owners benefit from a range of
optional care and support packages tailored to their personal needs.”
Fitzwarren Court is the thirteenth care project Castleoak has worked on for MHA over its 16year partnership.
Melville Knight, CEO at Castleoak, adds: “MHA is a valued Castleoak customer of 16 years.
We work hard to earn our customers’ loyalty. We’re proud to be working together to
continuously improve the choice of retirement housing for older people with these exciting
new developments.”
Fitzwarren Court will be served by a 24-hour on-site team providing personalised daily care
and assistance. Other features include anti-slip flooring in kitchens and bathrooms, level
access showers, a colour video entry system and an emergency alarm system.
85-year-old Len Francis will be one of the first residents to move into Fitzwarren Court.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “I like the fact that I’ll have a self-contained flat and I’ll be
able to do what I want. I have always been an independent person. I also like the fact that
there will be neighbours and people on site. At the moment I can manage fine. But who
knows what the future holds? It’s very reassuring to know the help will be there if I need it,”
he added.
Fitzwarren Court will be part of MHA’s mini village in Swindon, adjacent to Fitzwarren House
care home and Stanton Lodge retirement apartments, which Castleoak built in 2005.
– Ends –
Designed and constructed by Castleoak, Fitzwarren Court Assisted Living in Swindon
will open in spring 2015
Above: Far left, Kate Southern, MHA’s Development Officer with Mel Knight, Castleoak’s
Chief Executive. Far right, Karl Hallows, MHA’s Development Director. Centre with tree, Len
Francis. Others are relatives of Len Francis.
Above: A CGI of the Fitzwarren Court assisted living development, designed and built by
Castleoak for MHA
JPEGs are attached with this release
About Castleoak
Castleoak has specialised in care accommodation and retirement housing since 1996,
delivering over 180 care homes and 3,000 apartments across the UK. The £60 million
turnover group is the leading name in the development, design and construction of quality
care homes, extra care apartments, care villages and retirement living.
Castleoak’s design and construction services are at the forefront of sustainability and range
from project inception through to furnishing and equipping. A full multi-award winning
property development service is also available, including land sourcing and acquisition,
demographics and project feasibility analysis, securing planning permission together with
offering tailored funding solutions.
Castleoak develops long-term partnerships, and many customers have chosen to work with
the business for over 10 years. Today, 84% of projects are from returning customers.
Castleoak is committed to improving the image of the care sector and enjoys strong working
relationships with key sector bodies, including the National Care Forum, Care England,
Housing LIN and ARCO.
In 2014 Castleoak was named HealthInvestor’s Property Developer of the Year.
For more information about us visit www.castleoak.co.uk or call Susan James on 029 2054
8800.
Press office
Susan James or Ceri Anstee on 029 2054 8800
Castleoak, Raglan House, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8BA
About MHA
MHA is a charity providing care, accommodation and support services for older people
throughout Britain. We are one of the most well-respected care providers in the sector and
amongst the largest charities in Britain, providing services to older people for 70 years.
MHA was named “Most trusted charity in the UK” in 2014 by Third Sector’s Charity Brand
Index. We received an overall performance rating of 97% based on the latest independent
national survey Your Care Rating of residents’ views of our staff, care and quality of life.
MHA delivers a range of high quality services to 16,000 individuals:
 4,500 older people living in care homes - residential, nursing and specialist dementia
care
 2,500 older people living independently in a range of purpose-built apartments with
flexible support and personalised care
 9,000 older people supported via live at home services in the community
Our services are delivered by over 7,000 dedicated staff and enhanced by the commitment
of 4,000 volunteers. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for older people, inspired by
Christian concern.
As a charity, we aim to provide good quality services which represent excellent value for
money and all our surplus is reinvested into providing services for older people now and into
the future.
Press office
Rachel Reeves on 01332 221 920
Epworth House, Stuart Street, Derby DE1 2EQ