Ross Care has donated assistive equipment to the new community ‘smart house’, designed to address social isolation and boost residents’ mental and physical wellbeing in Middleton, Rochdale.

The smart house facility, part of The Hub Alkrington, was created by Rochdale Borough Council and displays adult care assistive technology that older and vulnerable residents can access to help enhance independent living.

It comprises of living spaces including a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom equipped with a wide range of assistive equipment for the local community to explore and see the range of products that could help them remain independent at home.

Residents will also be signposted to a range of advice and mental health services, helping to reduce health inequalities and boost wellbeing. Organisations providing services at the facility will include Middleton-based Kickstart with Hope, which supports people with brain injuries, Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale (HMR) Circle, Mind, Your Trust, and the council’s adult care prevention service.

The opening was attended by our Ross Care colleagues, Chris McComiskey, Head of Clinical Services, and Alastair Ronaldson, Marketing and Sales Manager.

Alastair Ronaldson, Marketing and Sales Manager, said: “As the CES provider and NHS Wheelchair Approved Repairer in Rochdale, we were delighted to support this local community hub, as we share their values of promoting prevention and self-help in the community.”

Similarly, Ross Care has supported the set-up and running of ‘Ross Care Independent Living’ in neighbouring Oldham, which is another facility where the local community can explore and test out a wide range of products, for which expert advice and guidance are also on hand.  The facility is used by local health and social care teams, as well as community groups, and operates as a retail outlet under the management of Nick Tasker, Retail Operations Manager.