Special guest celebrates ‘topping out’ at Wantage’s multi-million-pound new care home

Wantage’s newest care home, set to open next year, has marked its latest construction milestone with the help of a special guest. 

The Care UK team and representatives from Lawrence Baker, were joined by the Mayor of Wantage, Councillor Angela Dunford, who placed the final roof tile on the roof of Charlton Lodge, Off Elder Way.

The purpose-built care home – which is expected to welcome the first residents in autumn 2024 – will provide full-time residential and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, for up to 72 older people, with facilities including its own cinema, hair salon and café.

Angela Zuraw, Regional Director for Care UK, said: “We’re delighted to be adding to our ever-expanding portfolio of residential care homes. Charlton Lodge is our fifth home in Oxfordshire and follows the success of Cuttlebrook Hall, which opened in October in Thame, highlighting our commitment to enhancing the standards of care in the region.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the Mayor of Wantage for helping us to celebrate this special milestone and we can’t wait to give Councillor Angela Dunford the grand tour once the home’s interior is complete!”

Matthew Tucker, Contracts Manager at Lawrence Baker, added: “We know that well-designed physical spaces can have positive impacts on supporting individuals to live longer and more fulfilling lives, and Charlton Lodge will offer future residents the very best of care. Construction is off to a great start and we’re confident we’ll be able to hand the reins over to Care UK’s expert team next autumn.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new Care UK home will incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building will be configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.