Girton is a suburb of Cambridge located adjacent to the A14 Cambridge Northern Bypass with easy links to the M11 and only 1.5 miles from the city centre. Girton is a popular village that has a high level of existing facilities available to residents, including; a post office, newsagent, general store, doctor’s surgery, traditional inns, children’s nursery, community centre, mobile library service and a primary school. The project is being driven by an energetic local volunteer management committee and Abbeyfield’s central team of professional development, construction and design consultants. The 2.5 acre site is situated in Wellbrook Way, Girton and is adjacent to the Quills, a new development by George Wimpey Homes with a mix of private and social housing. The development will provide high specification independent living apartments for up to 150 older people in a secure and supportive environment. The development proposal comprises 76 one, two and three bedroom apartments. It embraces the latest thinking in offering a home for life with care and support services based on site and with access to a wide range of communal facilities to enhance health and well being, tailored to those with higher care needs. The Community Resource Centre – or ‘Clubhouse’ is crucial to the delivery of the project as it will also form a resource for the wider community running in partnership with the groups from the local voluntary sector as well as other local stakeholders. A programme of activities will be developed to include a range of professional and leisure based activities and Abbeyfield aims to develop the scheme as a ‘centre of excellence'. A domiciliary service to serve older people who live outside the scheme but want to be able to use the facilities will also be on offer. There will be an on-site manager and team and care contracts to suit individual requirements will be arranged as necessary. From the Clubhouse, voluntary services including meals, activities and care will be centrally organised to best meet the needs of older people resident within the development and those who are visiting for day care or who come to join in with various activities and events. Each week there will be specialist provision for people with a mental frailty, giving them vital stimulation. The Clubhouse will also be a place where carers can talk to others and find support, and seek information about the care and support available to older people across the district and beyond. Specific activities will include: • Home support • Library • Cinema • Relaxation suite to include jet pool Jacuzzi, gym, flotation tank, • Physiotherapy and occupational therapy, eg Tai Chi • Educational and leisure activities • Minibus to and from the centre • Hairdressing & beauty • Lunch Clubs • Personal Care such as bathing • Alternative therapies and treatments • Chiropody The development has strong support from a range of local stakeholders from both voluntary organisations and local agencies. Construction work is expected to commence in June 2010 and we hope to complete the project in the summer of 2012. • £50,000 would provide a significant donation towards constructing the Community Resource Centre providing day care and support for older people in the community. • £35,000 would pay for the minibus to help older people travel to and from the centre. • £15,000 would pay for the gym equipment in the Community Resource Centre. • £5,000 would help fund a treatment / activity room in the Community Resource Centre