A CHARITY has marked another milestone in the construction of its new care development with a ‘topping out’ ceremony.

Around 60 guests, including the Mayor of Eastleigh councillor Maureen Sollitt, came together to celebrate The Brendoncare Foundation development’s progress at the site in Otterbourne Hill near Winchester.

Residents from The Old Parsonage home, in Otterbourne, signed a number of tiles to be installed on what will be their new home when it is completed in summer 2018.

Carole Sawyers, chief executive of The Brendoncare Foundation, nailed the tiles on the roof and said: “This is an exciting day for us, marking another stage in the construction of this pioneering scheme, which will provide care and support for people living both on the site and in the area.

“We are especially delighted to welcome residents from Brendoncare The Old Parsonage to what will be their new home. We are very much looking forward to summer next year when the first residents will be able to move in.”

Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill will provide several services on the site. A care home will offer both nursing and dementia care in small households, while apartments will support couples facing a diagnosis of dementia.

There will also be a community hub with a wide range of facilities, including a restaurant, hairdressing salon, IT room and winter garden, as well as activities and dementia-friendly clubs.

The Otterbourne Hill development is being built by Stepnell.

Regional director Rob Speirs said: “It’s a proud moment to have reached this key point in the construction programme and we’re delighted to have been able to share it with some of the scheme’s future residents and with Brendoncare.

“This is an important scheme which will deliver first-rate specialist care; our team are committed to delivering the project to the very highest standard.”

Brendoncare is running information events on November 28 and December 4 between 2pm and 6pm at the Otterbourne scout hut in Boyatt Lane.