Plans to develop the facility were agreed as part of the council budget approved on 19 March 2022. A separate project will see a similar solution provided in Hawick, with more than £22.5 million of capital allocated to cover the cost of the two Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership developments.

Working with National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), the aim of the sessions is to capture the views and ideas of local residents and other stakeholders to gain their views on how the community can integrate with the care village. The feedback will also be used to help develop the full business case due to be presented to both the council and the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board in 2023.

The drop-in sessions will be available as follows:

• Monday 24 October; 10-2pm; Community Centre, Essenside Drive, Tweedbank
• Thursday 27 October; 10-2pm; Cafe Recharge, 58 Island St, Galashiels

There is no need to book, but if anyone has any queries, please email: ResidentialCareProgramme@scotborders.gov.uk

As the plans will include the transfer of services currently provided at Waverley (Galashiels) and Garden View (Tweedbank) residential care facilities, additional engagement is being held with staff, residents, family carers and other relevant stakeholders.

Councillor David Parker, executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “To ensure we continue to provide high-quality care for our older residents and keep up with the anticipated increase in demand for health and social care services, we have committed to delivering two new care villages in the Borders over the next four years, including the one to be located in Tweedbank.

“These drop-in sessions are a chance not only for people to find out more about the proposals, but also to give us your views on how the local community could support and integrate with the care village.

“We want to hear from you as to what you might like to see in the development whether that’s a shop, café or some other facility. There will be some outline architect’s drawings available that will give you an idea of what it could look like but it’s really your views that we want to hear at this stage. I would therefore encourage everyone with an interest to make sure they come along and have their say.”