AN EXTRA care scheme in Radcliffe has celebrated five years of operation with a party for all its residents.

Since opening its doors in 2012, Red Bank Extra Care Scheme now provides 24-hour support to its tenants, who enjoy secure and independent retirement living.

The £6 million Red Bank site, in Lowe Street, consists of 40 apartments and a hairdresser's and bistro, which are also open to the wider community.

It also now has an active Tenants and Residents Association that runs fundraising activities and social events.

Developed and managed by Six Town Housing and Bury Council, the scheme celebrated its anniversary with a visit by the Mayor of Bury, councillors and senior staff from the council and Six Town Housing.

The Mayor opened the anniversary event by praising the tenants that live there, some of which have been nominated for awards for their communal garden including the highest Britain In Bloom accolade.

Fourteen tenants had provided her with comments prior to the event, stating why they would not want to live anywhere else.

The Mayor of Bury, Cllr Dorothy Gunther, said: “This anniversary party is a fabulous tribute to the hard work that the residents have put into their environment, for which they should be proud.

“Many have stated that living at Red Bank has improved their overall health and wellbeing, and that being part of this safe community - with good friends and supportive staff - are the things that have really made a difference.”

Six Town Housing's Bev Hopkinson, scheme manager at Red Bank, said: “Red Bank has become more than just a place where people live, it's a thriving community hub increasingly used by people living in the surrounding area and beyond, which is something that we all aspired for it to be when it first opened its doors.

"Tenants can remain independent without being excluded, with the Tenant and Resident Association playing a particularly key role in bidding for funding to run inclusive activities and social events.”

Margaret Ellison, a tenant at Red Bank, said: “This places has been a life saver for me and I have got my confidence back.

“They are lovely apartments and the staff are absolutely brilliant. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

The anniversary party was made possible with funding from Ambition for Ageing, who work to increase inclusivity for older people in local communities.