Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Didcot, Poppy Meadows celebrates a successful first six months of operating with an official opening event. 

Pictured (front, left to right): Deputy Mayor, Cllr Andrew Jones; Barbra, the first resident at Poppy Meadows; Tracy Jones, Head of Extra Care (South) at Housing 21 with Poppy Meadows residents and Housing 21 employees. 

Poppy Meadows provides much-needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55, offering 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments for social rent and shared ownership.  

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place to celebrate the scheme’s grand opening with its first residents, a speech was delivered by Tracy Jones, Housing 21’s Head of Extra Care (South), followed by residents and their families taking photos together in a photobooth. 

The Extra Care scheme has been carefully designed to promote independent living in a community setting, with an on-site Care Team available 24/7 to deliver planned care packages for residents that need it.  

The £12 million development was delivered by Housing 21, a national leading provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, Midlands-based developer Deeley Construction and Quattro Design Architects, supported by the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal. 

Pictured: Residents at Poppy Meadows, their families and Housing 21 employees celebrated by taking photos in a photobooth.

Ashleigh Jarvis, Commissioning and Performance Manager at Housing 21, said: “We’re pleased to be celebrating the grand opening of Poppy Meadows as we officially welcome its first residents who have moved in over the past six months. Poppy Meadows enables our residents to live independently in their own home with the added benefit of accessing communal facilities and care support when required.   

“We have some wonderful residents living here already and a marvellous team. We look forward to working with the wider community to make a difference to the lives of the people that live here, and we hope to have a positive impact in the local area.”  

Barbra was the first resident to move into Poppy Meadows six months ago. Her daughter Andi said: “My mother's life has changed from completely being socially isolated, to being able to access the community areas, including the café/ bistro which has seriously improved her quality of life.  

“Speaking to other people has always been important to her and so this move was the most positive one. As a family, we could not have hoped or asked for anything more, thank you to the team at Poppy Meadows.” 

Cllr Sue Caul, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, Development and Infrastructure, said: “Poppy Meadows is a wonderful facility. It’s great that we were able to use developer contributions in the area to support such an important affordable housing project that enables those who are now living here to be independent in a lovely community setting.”   

As well as boasting a residents’ lounge and landscaped gardens, Poppy Meadows also has an on-site award-winning café/bistro and a hair salon which are available for use by the local community.   

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Extra Care housing is a crucial part of the Oxfordshire Way and our vision for how we deliver adult social care. We know people want to live happily and independently, within their own communities for as long as possible.  

“By working with housing associations like Housing 21, we can support residents to live in modern, comfortable developments, retaining that sense of independence but with the reassurance of knowing that help is available on site when needed.” 

Chris Newman, Operations Manager at Deeley Construction, said: “It’s fantastic to see residents settled in at Poppy Meadows and enjoying living in a development which we are very proud to have been involved in.  

“This is a high-quality Extra Care scheme, which is providing a real community hub for the people of Didcot. 

“This development is testament to what can be achieved through strong partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Housing 21 to deliver Extra Care and care developments of this quality.”   

Pictured: The gardens at Poppy Meadows.

An on-site Housing Manager is available to assist residents with any concerns or queries, including repairs, benefit claims or suggestions for events. 

If you're interested in living at Poppy Meadows, there are a selection of shared ownership and rental apartments remaining. Register your interest by calling 01865 985 250 
or emailing info.poppymeadows@housing21.org.uk