A WINCHESTER charity has confirmed the closure of a specialist dementia care home.

St John’s Winchester has announced that all residents have moved to new homes and the home is being de-commissioned with its windows now boarded up.

In a statement the charity said: "We would like to thank first and foremost the next-of-kin of with whom we have worked to facilitate the best transitions possible for our former residents, our brilliant staff who have stayed with the Home and prioritised the care of residents at this particularly difficult time, and our colleagues from Hampshire County Council who have done a great job in finding new accommodation and care.

St John’s chairman of trustees Roger Bright said. “It is a sad day, but we are so pleased that residents have been found alternative accommodation that suits their needs. Our staff have been incredibly supportive, and I would like to thank the nurses, carers and domestic staff for their dedication in this period and that of our Moorside matron, Deborah Macartney working together with Sarah Weekes our head of care to ensure resident safety.

The charity is now focused on ensuring that the legacy of Moorside is not lost and we continue to care for older people in Winchester and the surrounding areas. Although at an early stage, we are moving ahead with plans to convert Moorside into up to 18 new almshouses subject to planning permission.

Clive Cook, charity chief executive, added: "Our staff at Moorside are of high quality and so it is not surprising that for the most part those that wanted to continue in care have found suitable roles to build on their skills and dedication. Fortunately, we have been able to redeploy a small number of carers into our almshouse support team. We wish our former residents, families and staff members well for the future."

St John’s Winchester is one of the country's oldest charities with over nine centuries of history and years of experience supporting older people of limited means. Its almshouse community offers supported independent living in a friendly, social setting with plans to expand its accommodation provision to the local community. With a rich history, but a thoroughly modern outlook, the charity provides care and support to around 150 older people in Winchester who choose to make St John's their home. It also delivers wider community support to local older people through its wellbeing initiative, St John’s Hand in Hand.