Hunslet Moor House, the block of extra care apartments on Hunslet Hall Road, was officially opened on Friday 21 March 2025 with the cutting of a cake by its first residents Anne and Barry Parker.
Residents of the scheme were joined by councillors, Hilary Benn MP and representatives of the many partner organisations that had worked together on the project.
Speaking to staff and residents it is clear that they have already formed a close community in a very well designed building.
Anne said:
“It meets all our expectations and more. Everyone is so friendly, it’s like having another extended family in a way. The atmosphere in here is lovely and I’m so, so pleased that we made the decision to move (from) a four bedroom Victorian terrace with lots of steps and stairs, (it was an) accident waiting to happen.”
Barry moved from Cottingley Towers where he had become very isolated. He was so impressed when he visited that he brought his packed up possessions in a van when he came to sign the tenancy so he could move in straight away.
“I can’t thank the staff enough” he said. “Housing managers, care staff, cleaners they’re all brilliant and they work as a team and help one another. I’m back out of myself. We all get on like a family.”
Grace said her new home was “amazing.” She suffers from kidney problems and mobility issues, often having to crawl up the stairs in the house in Middleton that she shared with her daughter’s family.
“I like it, it’s amazing. Everyone is happy, we are friendly to each other, the staff are amazing” she said. “I enjoy the walk-in shower, I use the lifts, it’s just good for me. My family are happy, they can’t stop visiting me.”
Scheme Manager Vicki North explained that residents have moved in over the last three months and there are only a few apartments still to be let.
“Being able to move the residents in over a period of time has been really good because it’s meant we’ve got to know them really well, got to know the families really well, get everybody settled in and that’s been really important” she said.
“Extra Care is Brilliant. All of these people would have had to move to a care home if they couldn’t have come here. It keeps them independent for longer and that’s what they’re looking forward to.”
As well as the apartments, Hunslet Moor House boasts a bistro which is open to the public as well as residents. A large social space and an activity room. It also includes a newsagents run by Zaab, described by Stephen Sorrell from Preferred Homes as “an absolute cornerstone of the community.”
Zaab’s shop was the last unit remaining in a derelict 1970s shopping precinct on the site. He was accommodated in a portacabin during the build, and now has a purpose built unit that can be accessed by the public and by residents.
Stephen Sorrell from Preferred Homes thanked the many partners from architects and builders to council housing and social care staff and Westward Care, who own Pennington Court next door and provide 24/7 personalised care as well as running the Bistro. He finished by saying:
“Success for us is about people being happy, getting back their independence, living in a nice apartment which meets their needs and ultimately enjoying their life.”
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“The thing that really matters to me is that when we talk about increasing the number of houses, that can sound like a number that appears in strategies, but actually it’s about making sure we’ve got houses for everybody in Leeds.
“Making sure that we’ve got that mix so whether it’s people coming to start their careers or a new job, bringing up families or places like this for older people to live in and have the facilities, the independence and be living in a really beautiful modern building.”
Hilary Benn MP reiterated the thanks given to everyone involved in creating Hunslet Moor House and said:
“In the end this is about the people for who this place is now home and, if you ask me, is this the kind of place I’d like to come to when I’m even older than I am, the answer is yes.”
The official proceedings were topped and tailed by children from neighbouring New Bewerley Community School choir singing Penny Arcade and Eye of the Tiger.
Main photo: Anne and Barry Parker cut the cake to officially open Hunslet Moor House
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