Cheyne Capital has partnered with Liberty Care Developments to create this state-of-the-art care home, which will be operated by the Anavo Group to provide the highest quality of care. This type of care home is usually the preserve of only the small percentage of people who can afford it. However, at Alexandra Mill, Cheyne is pioneering the provision of 35% of the rooms to publicly-funded residents at the rates paid by, and affordable to, the local authorities and the NHS. Consistent with Cheyne Impact Real Estate’s tenure blind approach throughout its property portfolio, which aims to reduce inequalities, both private-pay and publicly-funded residents will benefit from identical facilities and care services.
Unlike with general needs housing, where planners can impose on developers the delivery of a proportion of affordable homes, there is no requirement for the delivery of any affordable beds within new-build care homes. With this investment, Cheyne is looking to change the status quo by demonstrating that impact-led, institutional investors can, and are willing to, cater to the local authority and NHS needs by delivering a significant proportion of affordable beds within modern, purpose-built care homes.
Alexandra Mill comprises 72 modern, ensuite private bedrooms. Residents have 24-hour access to general nursing, residential or dementia care from trained and experienced staff, and full board with an in-house chef and catering team. There is a choice of communal or fully serviced private dining areas, plus a full laundry service and a hair salon on-site. Other amenities include a café, shop, library, games room, club room, audio-visual room and IT hub as well as external offerings such as a gardening programme utilising the greenhouse and other facilities to encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Residents will also have access to a programme of activities, entertainment and events, organised and delivered by the home’s dedicated activities co-ordinator, to ensure that they remain happy, engaged and active. The local community is welcomed to Alexandra Mill with use of the cafe, shop, and salon on offer. In this way the development brings the community to the residents, which is particularly welcome for those residents who are less mobile.
Matt Floyd of Cheyne Impact Real Estate said “Our Impact Real Estate strategy continually strives to challenge the norm and deliver not only long-term sustainable investments but also long-term sustainability to our residents, especially those who would typically not have access to the highest quality properties. We are very pleased to be presenting Alexandra Mill into the local community within Crewe. In keeping with our investment ethos, Alexandra Mill has given us the perfect platform to create a truly inclusive care home where 35% of the care beds are reserved for publicly-funded residents. Working in partnership with Liberty Care Developments and the Anavo Group, we believe we have a balanced combination of development and operational expertise. The ultimate goal remains to create an inclusive offering that intentionally breaks down segregation and exclusion and we hope to make Alexandra Mill the blueprint for future inclusive care home developments.”
Ed Moore, Development Director at Anavo Group, added “We’re delighted to have commissioned Alexandra Mill and, having welcomed our first residents in early September, we are already seeing the benefits the home is bringing to the community of Shavington and Crewe. Working with Cheyne Capital has been a highly positive experience from the start of the project and we are committed to delivering the social impact the home is designed for.”
Andy Baddeley, Managing Director at Liberty Care Developments, commented: “This is our first completed development for Cheyne and Anavo and we are extremely proud of what we’ve delivered. This is a beautiful home deserving of its place in Crewe and will enhance the lives of those that stay here. We are now looking forward to delivering our next home together in Whitchurch which will be a really positive asset for the town.”
Debra Lindop, Community Development Officer at Cheshire East Council, concluded “I am stunned by what is a really thoughtful creation; the design and detail and colour palette of all the private and communal areas are so lovely, it is a privilege to be able to wander around and enjoy the space, its luxury and welcome. I admire how Cheyne has integrated spaces for sharing experiences for use by relatives and the public/community. We recognise this is as a much needed and wonderful investment for Crewe.”
Image provided by Prosek.
