The sale of retirement homes will ultimately fund the cost of the site’s rejuvenation which is being undertaken by Willmott Dixon.
Providing support for the entire motor industry and its dependants, whether or not they still work in the sector, BEN has a wide remit and says the increasing age of the population and rise in dementia levels mean the project has not come a moment too soon
Over the next 20 years the population over 65 is expected to increase by 51%, while dementia levels are expected to rise by 35% to 2025.
The new Lynwood Care Centre will consequently focus on dementia care, although there will also be support for younger, physically disabled residents and those that need respite care and/or rehabilitation.
BEN Chief Executive David Main said: “This project is part of an overall strategy to totally transform BEN and its services for the industry over the next decade.
“Changes in society will always impact on our automotive community and at BEN we constantly review our services and resources to ensure we are best place to deliver the support needed.”
Besides paying for the new build, Main said the redevelopment of 20-acre site would also provide new funding streams for the charity’s services which would not otherwise have been possible.
The new Car Centre is the first phase of the build and is expected to be completed by October, 2014. BEN’s Director of Care Services, Jenny Brown, said: “Providing continuity of care for our existing residents was a key consideration and we have phased the development to enable us to operate the current Lynwood Care Centre until the new facility becomes available.”
The Lynwood site was bought by BEN in 1948 and extended to provide additional nursing care in 1960. It is one of four residential care sites around the country and has consistently been given excellent rating by the Care Quality Commission.
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