Grand opening celebrated at Oakwood Court as new facilities officially unveiled | News
Grand opening celebrated at Oakwood Court as new facilities officially unveiled
Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath marked the official opening of its new facilities on Tuesday 28 April, welcoming residents and their families, guests from partner organisations, and civic representatives including the Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath.
The celebration was marked by Vic Rayner OBE, Chief Executive of the National Care Forum who cut the red ribbon to officially open the new facilities at the not-for-profit care home.
Speaking at the event, Vic Rayner OBE highlighted the importance of sustained investment in high-quality care environments that support older people to live well, and praised the commitment shown by all those involved in the Oakwood Court development: “It is always a privilege to visit our not-for-profit members’ services and opening this new facility at Sussex Housing & Care’s Oakwood Court care home is a particularly special honour. The new development reflects Sussex Housing and Care’s dedication to upholding the very highest standards of care, and the new extension will provide a place of comfort, connection and dignity where many people can feel at home.”
Guests were invited to tour the new three-storey extension, meet the teams behind the project and see first-hand the new bedrooms and enhanced communal spaces designed to support residents’ wellbeing and day-to-day life.
The development adds 31 ensuite bedrooms and includes a lounge and dining room, hair and beauty salon, activities room, cinema and landscaped gardens - creating additional capacity and modern facilities for residents, families and visitors. The home also includes the latest digital technology with a silent nurse call system, and acoustic monitoring at night time to prevent and reduce falls.
Tracy Evans, Chief Executive of Sussex Housing & Care, said: “I’m delighted that our Oakwood Court care home development is now complete, delivering much‑needed, high‑quality new homes for older people in Haywards Heath. As a not-for-profit organisation, everything we do is about reinvesting in people and communities and we’re extremely proud of what we have achieved, with our partners. It feels especially fitting to share these excellent care facilities with the community in the year we celebrate 80 years of providing homes and care for older people in Sussex.”
The event recognised the collaborative partnership that brought the development to completion, including Niblock Builders, Askival and Lawson Queay. Marcus Pitt, Contracts Manager at Niblock Builders said: “We are proud to have successfully delivered the extension and refurbishment of Oakwood Court, working in close partnership with Sussex Housing & Care throughout this complex, phased project within a live care environment.
Alongside the extension, significant upgrades were made to the existing building, including a new reception area, management offices, and a modern commercial kitchen, as well as enhanced communal and support spaces.
This collaborative approach, combined with innovative retrofit technologies and careful consideration for residents, staff, and the surrounding environment, has created a high-quality, modern setting that enhances residents’ quality of life and supports the wider community. Seeing our shared vision come to life has been incredibly rewarding.”
Oakwood Court welcomes visitors to learn more about life at the home and to see the new facilities first-hand. Anyone interested in arranging a visit is invited to contact the team at Oakwood Court on 01444 458872 or oakwood@sussexhousing.org.uk.