JBD breaks ground on new £6.7million development

Jewish Blind & Disabled this week held a breaking ground ceremony as work began on a new £6.7million development.

The 19 mobility apartments in Bushey Heath will comprise of 15 one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments, a roof terrace and state of the art communal areas.

JBD Chief Executive Hazel Kaye said: “We are so very aware of how living in unsuitable accommodation can make life very difficult life for people who have had to face a diagnosis of disability or vision impairment.

“As the only charity in the Jewish community dedicated to enabling people in this position to live independently, we are constantly looking for new sites that will enable us to build more of our vital developments and so I am really delighted that work has now started on this latest building”

“As with all Jewish Blind & Disabled buildings, this new development will be designed to support adults, who are physically disabled or vision impaired, in living independent lives, with dignity, security and hope for the future.

“Features in the development will include emergency pull cords throughout, wet floor shower rooms, accessible kitchens, colour coded corridors, scooter charging room and level access to the accessible gardens.

“These features, together with 24/7 on site support from resident house managers, empower tenants to live life as they choose behind their own front door.”

JBD Chairman John Joseph MBE said: “I’m delighted that we have broken ground on another new development, which is vital to meet the growing demand for independent living within the Jewish community.

“Jewish Blind & Disabled currently has 360 tenants living in seven buildings across London, Hertfordshire and Essex but our waiting lists continue to grow.

“This latest development will help satisfy some of this demand and fulfil our mission to provide a life of dignity, independence and choice.”

Hazel and John were joined at the ceremony by JBD President Malcolm Ozin MBE (pictured), who has been with the charity since its first development opened 48 years ago. The charity’s eighth development is due to open towards the end of 2018 and will be adjacent to Cecil Rosen Court, which opened in March 2014.