WORK has started on building a new care home in Shinfield, which is hoping to welcome residents in the summer of 2020.

The £6.5 million project will create 100 jobs and provide full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for as many as 68 older people.

Care UK and construction partner Castleoak recently celebrated the milestone of the scheme, which will be based on Hollow Lane.

Gary Renton, construction project manager for Care UK, said: “We are delighted that work has begun on the new care home in Shinfield, not least because this impressive development reflects our commitment to improving the provision of residential care in the town.

“At Care UK, we take great pride in the build quality, layout and design of each individual home, as these factors can greatly impact the everyday experiences of those living in a care environment.

"Our new care home will live up to these standards, and will provide a quality home for older people from Shinfield and beyond.”

The new two-storey building will include facilities, such as a cinema, café and hairdressing salon.

Secure and wheelchair-friendly landscaped outdoor space will feature sensory gardens, water features and seating to give residents the opportunity to spend quality time outdoors.

Craig Currie, chief executive at Castleoak, added: “Construction of this new care home has got off to a great start, and we are on schedule to complete the scheme in June 2020.

"This is another high quality development conceived by Castleoak, and we are proud to also be progressing with construction of this much needed new care home for the Shinfield community.”

The care home will be designed to encourage residents to take part in hobbies and leisure activities, while also promoting indepedent living.

Care UK is one of the largest providers of residential care for older people, operating 120 homes and specialist care to those in need.