HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, met residents and staff as he toured a new £8m care centre in Devizes, Wiltshire.
Run by the charity, The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), Hayward Care Centre was designed by Hunters Architects, built by Stepnell Construction, and the work was overseen by developer, Brackley Investments.
The facility boasts a ‘household’ layout and homely interior design to help enhance the living environment for older people living with dementia.
While at the unit, Prince Philip watched a game of skittles and was offered some home baking before popping in to the residents’ bar for a chat. He then joined guests for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening of the care centre.
The care centre is named in honour of local hero, Reginald Hayward, who served throughout World War I and, in addition to the Military Cross and bar, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for valour, for his actions in 1918 when serving in 1st Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment.
Resident, Betty Key, 92, said: “It was a great honour and a pleasure to meet The Duke of Edinburgh and I really enjoyed talking to him. It has been very exciting having such an important Royal visitor at our home to lead our celebrations.”
The Hayward Care Centre has replaced two existing care homes in Devizes - Anzac House and Southfield - and will provide a range of services to meet the care and support needs of the local community, particularly those requiring specialist dementia care.
With a total of 80 bedrooms, each complete with a 24-hour call system and cutting-edge technology to help promote a safer environment, the care centre is arranged around cosy and comfortable home-style living areas, each with a kitchen, lounge and dining area.
With a shop, tearoom and hair salon situated inside the building, and specially-designed landscaped gardens complete with a sensory area featuring raised planters, vegetable patches and water features, Hayward creates a stimulating, easy-to-navigate environment for its residents.
Hayward Care Centre forms part of Wiltshire Council’s Older People Accommodation Development Strategy, which seeks to modernise the way that older people’s accommodation is provided, giving choice and control to individuals and responding to needs in local communities.
