The first retirees to move into a brand new housing complex for older people in Elgin received an extra special warm welcome when children from the local after school club visited for the afternoon.

Over 40 children from Magic Roundabout Childcare were invited for afternoon tea with the new residents of Linkwood View after coming up with the building’s name earlier in the year.

Inspired by the children’s nickname for the nearby burn ‘the linky’, Linkwood View is made up of 30 two-bedroom flats built around a central courtyard area, including two large communal areas for the residents to socialise.

Linkwood View resident Mr Gibby Wood said: “I very much enjoyed the kids attending. They were all very well behaved, especially when getting food and drinks. I initially spoke to two boys who said they had the same problem as me, they were terrible singers. All in all, a most enjoyable afternoon meeting the children.”

Linkwood View has been designed to accommodate the varying needs of people as they get older. Built by Hanover Scotland in partnership with Health & Social Care Moray and the Scottish Government, Linkwood View has four wheelchair accessible flats, five flats specifically designed for people with dementia, and 21 extra care flats.

This is the second development in Moray to use this innovative ‘housing with care’ model. In July, the First Minister visited Varis Court in Forres, which features 33 individual flats including an augmented care unit providing complex health care interventions in a homely environment. Hanover Scotland’s third development in the region at Haugh Road in Elgin is due to be completed later in the Autumn.

June Franklin, director of Magic Roundabout Childcare, said: “After helping to choose the building’s name, the children were very eager to see inside the complex and to spend time with the residents. One of our centres is just across the road, so perhaps next time we can return the favour.”

Lee-Ann Duncan, Linkwood View’s housing with care manager, said: “It has been a busy month getting our residents settled in but they were all very excited when they heard the children would be visiting. Even though Linkwood View only opened earlier this month, we already feel very much a part of the community.”