Care home residents warm to energy efficiency work

A grant to a care home has been made to help keep its residents warm and to make it more energy efficient.

Work will include a new heating system, new radiators and the installation of new windows at Merry House (formerly Lynwood Lodge) in Sale.

The Government grant was awarded to owners Trafford Council, as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

As well as improving the heating of the home for residents, the work will also reduce emissions and reduce the home’s carbon footprint, contributing to Trafford Council’s 2030 Carbon emissions reduction targets.

Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Adult Services, said:

“I’m delighted our bid for this money has been successful. When we bought the home last February, we were determined residents would live in a great home as part of a lively community. The work we are carrying out will make sure we can do just that.”

The work involves replacing the old heating system with new environmentally-friendly heat pumps. Not only can the new system pump through warm air in the winter, it can also pump through cooler air in the summer to keep the rooms at the right temperature for residents.

Cllr Harding said:

“We are committed to providing a greener future for our borough so I am delighted we can show the way through the decarbonisation of one of our care homes.”

Due to heating and hot water being unavailable while the work is carried out, residents will move out of Merry House to reduce any impact on them during the completion of the work They will move to Our Place (formerly Kara House), which is also owned by the Council, and run by Making Space.

Kimberley Lyons, service manager at Merry House said:

“We will be doing everything we can to support the wellbeing and safety of our residents throughout the planning of and during the move. The Merry House team will be moving with the residents will be ensuring all personal care plans are reviewed, risk, capacity and transportation assessments are completed and that residents, and their families, are involved and kept up-to-date throughout.

“We are pleased that our current care team will continue to provide support to residents, giving them continuity of care and a familiar face as they settle into their new home.

“When we return to Merry House we are looking forward to our residents and staff being able to benefit from and enjoy the new improvements.”

While the work is being carried out, further improvements will be made so the care home can accept more residents. This includes the introduction of a more specialised dementia service to meet the needs of Trafford residents.

Merry House will also be redecorated to make the home spick and span for when the residents return.

Posted on Friday 21st January 2022