Telecare business sale safeguards 12 jobs

Peaks & Plains Housing Trust has sold its private telecare business, for an undisclosed sum, to local telecare provider Astraline, safeguarding 12 jobs.

Poynton-based Astraline, part of Johnnie Johnson Housing, is a not-for-profit housing association dedicated to offering quality homes for independent living.

The deal will ensure that the private customers supported by Peaks & Plains for 30 years will continue to be serviced by a local provider with like-for-like 24/7 emergency response, falls lifting service and falls prevention advice.

The acquisition will enable Astraline to extend its range of services to support customers to maintain their independence at home.

Six members of staff have joined the existing telecare team at Astra House and six first aid-trained staff will form a mobile responder service for Astraline.

Peaks & Plains manages more than 5,000 homes across East Cheshire and the High Peak, with a team of 204 staff.

Jamie Hutchinson, director of customers for Peaks & Plains, said: “It was crucial for us to find a provider that could meet our two main priorities: continuity of care for our customers and the successful transfer of our staff to the new provider.

“We selected Astraline for its experience in the sector and its commitment to investing in future-focused technology.

“We know that Astraline’s expertise in delivering services to older and vulnerable people can only be enhanced by the addition of our experienced team.”

Joe McLoughlin, assistant director of Astraline, added: “We are looking forward to continuing to deliver and enhancing our existing services across the region, as well as welcoming the new members of the team into our organisation.

“We have ambitious aspirations here at Astraline and believe that acquiring such a fantastic service is a key milestone in our growth and service development plans.”