Reading: Housing Solutions to open independent living scheme

Housing Solutions will host an official opening of The Birches, Lower Earley - a contemporary development of 60 one and two-bedroom apartments for social rent and shared ownership to people over 55.

The scheme was recently nominated for the Sunday Times British Home Awards in the Best Community Living category. During the grand opening, Woodley town mayor Sam Rahmouni will cut the ribbon and declare the development open.

With 19 million people reaching 65 by 2050 the need for high-quality, supported housing is imperative. In order to meet the needs of an ageing population Maidenhead-based Housing Solutions and Cala Homes partnered to develop The Birches, a stylish development utilising the University of Reading campus.

The scheme has been specifically designed to make the transition of moving from home to home as seamless as possible, while giving residents the freedom to live independently in their own "highly specified, self-contained apartments, which uniquely cater for the residents' changing needs".

All rooms are highly specified and equipped with wet rooms, television and telephone points. Rooms on the ground floor open out onto the landscaped gardens. There is a communal lounge area with tri-leaf doors and the development also has a popular on-site café along with hobby room and beauty salon.

Housing Solutions says its aim is to have happy customers and provide good quality, affordable homes that address the current UK housing crisis. It offers housing to rent or buy along with shared ownership and specialist accommodation for supported housing needs, enabling residents to live independently within the community. Established in 1995 it owns, manages and maintains more than 7,500 properties across South East England.