Up to 100 jobs at new care home

Waterside Grange opened its doors to the public in a ceremony which saw both deputy mayor of Rotherham Coun John Foden and Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron cut the ribbon.

The complex in Waterside Park, caters for people aged 55 and over with a range of conditions. It can accommodate 78 residents in suites of 10 people, with each room offering an en-suite wet room, and the latest state of the art facilities.

Once opened fully, Waterside will employ up to 100 full and part time staff.

The £5 million development is the work of local company Horizon Care Homes. The family business formed in 2009 as they tried to find suitable care for one of their relatives, who was suffering from dementia.

Managing director Laura Higginbottom said: “I’m very proud that we’re opening Waterside today. I think the care facilities we’re providing are going to bring a lot of jobs to Dinnington.”

In her speech before the unveiling, Laura thanked residents and carers from Horizon’s first home, Wood Hill Grange in Sheffield for coming along to support the launch of Waterside.

She added: “Our philosophy as a family business is to try and provide our clients and their families with the same level of care and support that we’d expect from our own family.”

At the opening Kevin Barron talked about his time debating health issues in Parliament, chairing the Health Select Committee from 2005 to 2010.

“I’m very pleased to be here. I think facilities like this - not just on the care side but on the nursing side is vitally important if its going to help and assist people in the new restructuring of the NHS,” he said.

“Care, as far as medical care is concerned, will not just happen in institutions like hospitals anymore. It will happen in institutions like this.”

Coun Foden added: “When people are putting their loved ones into care, this is the type of environment they want as they’ll be safe and secure, and I have no doubt that the staff will do an excellent job.”

Byline is Jenny Newton