140 jobs heralded as leaders and developers meet to break ground on new care village site

16.06.14

Business and council leaders gathered in Bradford to mark the start of construction on a 90+ bed care home which is set to create over 100 jobs and boost the local economy.

The purpose built care village will be constructed at the Dudley Hill roundabout at the junction of Wakefield Road and Sticker Lane and is expected to generate around 140 jobs to deliver its holistic care services for people with a wide range of care needs.

With work now underway by specialist healthcare project construction team Walter Thompson and due for completion in July 2015, the £8million development is being part-funded by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Business Growth Programme with additional support from Yorkshire Bank. It will bring a model of specialist dementia care to Bradford in its bid to become a centre of excellence for dementia care and residential care for older people with additional needs.

Care Manager Jill Kemp, one of the Gateway’s senior management team that holds a combined 70 years’ experience in Bradford’s care sector, said today’s “Breaking Ground” ceremony for the Gateway Care Village follows five years of planning and consultation with the dementia mapping team at the University of Bradford, Stirling University’s dementia design team, the Contented Dementia Trust and Bradford Council’s adult services team.

“Today marks an exciting stage in a long term plan to create a care environment which offers exemplary specialist dementia care for older people in Bradford,” said Jill, who employed more than 150 staff over 10 years in her own care company based in Little Germany. “The Gateway Care Village has been designed by Brierley Groom Architects for Bradford people and will create jobs for Bradford people. With the senior management team already in place, roles will soon be advertised for care staff and ancillary workers and we’re keen to employ from our immediate communities in BD3 and BD4.”

She added: “The Gateway will be so much more than a “care home” because it is driven by people who have a passion and a real knowledge for care. As the first location in the north to apply the “Contented Dementia” model we know we will have measurable outcomes to demonstrate a high level of contented living for our residents. This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in Bradford’s care provision.”

The Gateway Care Village will comprise 90+ spaciously designed, ensuite bedrooms offering views across Bradford and towards the Yorkshire Dales and will extend its facilities in phase two to include a purpose built complex offering additional living accommodation. Phase three introduces a drive thru caf� concept, Java Joe’s coffee shop, which will be separate from the Gateway Care Village and open to the general public.

Bradford Council leader Coun David Green said: "I'm delighted that 140 jobs will be created through this new care village which will specialise in caring for those with dementia.

"We have worked intensively with the Gateway Care Village and supported them in their application to the Leeds City Region business growth programme. It is fantastic news for Bradford."

LEP Board Chair, Roger Marsh, added: “I’m extremely pleased to see work starting on site on the Gateway Care Village, which will provide an important economic boost to its community. The LEP has so far provided £4.8m of Business Growth Programme funding to Bradford firms, and this project is another excellent example of how we are helping to create significant new jobs and grow the City Region economy.”