ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
Manchester’s Morris Feinmann Home is planning an £11 million state-of-the-art care village at its Didsbury site.
The architecture, staffing and household structure will apply leading edge approaches to supporting people with a wide range of care needs. Communal facilities will include a kosher deli bistro, hair salon and exercise studio.
Morris Feinmann was established over 50 years ago in a converted Victorian house. It has been extended, but is increasingly not fit for purpose, with no room for a dementia unit. In addition, the relatively small scale of operations requires expensive staffing ratios, resulting in an operating deficit and dependence on the community to make up the shortfall.
The new home will be developed and managed by Belong Villages, which has extensive expertise in the field and was honoured in this year’s Great British Care Awards. The company will work closely with the Morris Feinmann Trust to maintain the Jewish ethos, kashrut and cultural activities.
It is hoped that the village will be ready for occupation by 2015. During reconstruction, the 49 residents will be offered relocation to Allingham House, a new care home in Altrincham. Allingham House is installing a kosher kitchen and will be advised on the provision of other Jewish facilities. Morris Feinmann chaplain Rabbi Shlomo Ellituv will supervise kashrut and Jewish cultural pursuits in Allingham House and the new village.
Meetings were convened on Tuesday to inform relatives about the Allingham House arrangements and to answer questions. Trustees’ vice-chair Helen Lister said that virtually all staff would move with residents to Allingham House to ensure continuity.
Speaking earlier, trustees’ chair Alan Wilkins stressed that change was essential to the home’s survival. “I am confident that the Morris Feinmann brand of excellence of care and Jewish environment will be strengthened through the planned development.”