Leeds City Council is on the brink of a significant development for its community health services as senior councillors are expected to approve the establishment of new headquarters for the Assisted Living Leeds service.
The move aims to enhance the support offered to residents with health issues, enabling them to live independently within their own homes. Scheduled for discussion at the next meeting of the council’s executive board at Civic Hall on Wednesday, 12 February, the proposal includes the approval of £3.4 million in funding. This investment is earmarked for the refurbishment of a newly acquired facility at Waterside Road in Stourton, rounding out a total of £9 million dedicated to this initiative.
Assisted Living Leeds has been operating out of its current base on Clarence Road, a building from the 1960s that now requires significant maintenance. The decision to move comes in response to growing demand for the service, which has seen the council proactive in its efforts to improve and expand its capacity to assist the community effectively.
In 2019, after evaluating several potential new locations across the city, the council allocated £5.6 million for the acquisition of the Waterside Road site. The new facility is expected to provide high-quality, modern accommodations that will bring substantial operational benefits. The layout of the new site will enhance service delivery efficiency and improve overall customer service.
In addition to the new headquarters, Assisted Living Leeds continues to innovate with its ‘return and reuse’ service, which allows for the environmentally friendly handling of used equipment. This program ensures that devices are returned, decontaminated, and reissued where appropriate, aligning with sustainability goals and efficient resource use.
The relocation and upgrade of the Assisted Living Leeds headquarters are not just immediate improvements but are also part of a long-term strategy to future-proof the service against increasing demands. This forward-thinking approach underscores the council’s commitment to health and social care, ensuring that vulnerable residents receive the support they need to maintain independence and quality of life at home.
As the executive board prepares to make their final decision, the positive implications of this move are clear. A more modern, fit-for-purpose headquarters will enable Assisted Living Leeds to continue its essential work more effectively and efficiently, setting a benchmark for community health service provision in Leeds and beyond.
Leeds City Council executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture Councillor Salma Arif said:
“We are delighted that we are now in a position to get the refurbishment of the new Assisted Living Leeds headquarters underway as once completed it will bring significant benefits for our city and its residents.
“The Assisting Living Leeds service provides an essential and invaluable lifeline to support people of all ages to be able to live healthy, happy and productive independent lives at home, and this move to its new location will enable it to continue to grow stronger and stronger helping even more people for years to come.”
If the refurbishment receives the green light, the new headquarters is slated to open in January 2026. Upon opening, the facility will also house the council’s flood risk management team, which monitors rainfall and river levels throughout the city.
For those interested in viewing the report under consideration by the executive board, it is available on the Council and Democracy website www.democracy.leeds.gov.uk (agenda item 9).
To learn more about Assisted Living Leeds and the services it offers, please visit www.leeds.gov.uk
