Lord Mayor praises Exeter’s award-winning extra care facility
Published: 10 August 2023
The Lord Mayor of Exeter has praised the Council’s award-winning extra care facility after meeting staff and residents at Edwards Court.
Cllr Kevin Mitchell said he was hugely impressed with the 53-flat facility, which combines accommodation with care and support services for people aged 55 and over.
His visit was also an opportunity to celebrate the recent award success for Edwards Court, after it was crowned Project of the Year Over £5m in the prestigious Michelmores Property Awards 2023.
Edwards Court the first Extra Care facility in the Exeter area and the first one in the UK to be built and certified to Passivhaus standards.
The facility, in Millbrook Lane, off Topsham Road, was opened last year and currently has around 50 residents.
Cllr Mitchell said: “This really is a wonderful facility and it was great to meet residents and staff and have a tour of the building – I was certainly very impressed by what I saw and I very much enjoyed the visit.”
Edwards Court was built by Exeter City Council and is run in partnership with Devon County Council and Radis Community Care.
The building, named after former City Council Leader Pete Edwards, includes communal facilities and services including a lounge, dining area and garden, well-being suite and roof terrace.
Extra care gives residents the opportunity to live independently whilst having an in-house care provider on site and 24 hour staffing for any emergencies.
Cllr Barbara Denning, Lead Councillor for Council Housing, said: “We are all very proud of what has been achieved at Edwards Court. It really is a fantastic facility which offers great care for residents in a wonderful setting.
“It provides residents with purpose-built homes and the flexibility and independence to live well, while also having access to care at all times should they need it.”
The facility was praised by judges at the recent Michelmores Property Awards. The judges said: “A 53-flat scheme built by Exeter City Council, Edwards Court is one of the most well designed buildings of its type.
“It combines accommodation with care and support services for people aged 55 and over and has incorporated new design thinking that aligns better with the requirements of elderly life, placing strong focus on community and companionship, as well as being the first UK healthcare facility built to Passivhaus standards.”
