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News

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Residents’ First View of Village Homes

17 February 2010

Prospective villagers, Graham and Joan Baker from Abbeymead, joined 200 local older residents to cut the ribbon at St Oswald’s Village show homes yesterday, 12th February 2010. As Village applications open, a rush for one of the 166 homes is expected. 600 local households have already registered their interest in the pioneering city retirement scheme which opens on a four acre site of the former Gloucester cattle market during winter 2010.

Graham (66), a retired civil servant and Joan (65), a former nurse, are both active members of a 200-strong Village Friends Club and are keen to act as Village volunteers, working in the library, Village IT suite and on reception.

Mr Baker says: “Should we become ill or in need of assistance, we don’t want to leave it until it’s too late to move. At St Oswald’s we could remain independent and active in our own village home with care available should we need it. The concept offers us a bright future.”

The one and two-bedroomed bungalows on show are typical of the homes which will be available to 250 local older people as a result of an innovative partnership between Gloucester City Council, Rooftop Housing Group, The Homes and Communities Agency and The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

Larger and better appointed than accommodation in many traditional care schemes, the St Oswald’s homes will surround a Village Centre with 18 health and leisure facilities and demonstrate a progressive approach to older peoples’ housing.

With 86 purchase options available (priced from £69,250 for a 50% part-purchase one-bedroom apartment), 80 rent-only properties, and access to specialist benefits advice to support housing and care costs, the homes offer villagers an affordable, high-quality housing route, much sought after amongst local elderly people who may be isolated, need personal support and only have a minimum state pension.
Village purchasers can expect to stay in their St Oswald’s home for life, with up to 24-hour assessed care available for those who need support to remain independent.

Facilities in the Village Centre will include a gym, restaurant, craft centre, greenhouse and IT suite with opportunities for residents to pursue activities and skills which may include painting, singing, craft, horse riding and even abseiling. Linked to the wider community through visiting families, affordable club membership and volunteers, the Centre will also be home to ExtraCare’s national-award-winning Well-being Service.

Andrew Gravells, deputy leader of Gloucester City Council, responsible for housing and health, says:
"This innovative scheme of housing for older people demonstrates exactly why Gloucester is forging ahead, with a reputation as a modern 21st century city. There is a growing sense of excitement here in advance of the opening of St Oswald’s.”
Allan Brace, Vice Chair, Evesham and Pershore Housing Association Ltd (part of Rooftop Housing Group) says: "These show homes demonstrate perfectly that there is no need to compromise on either design or build quality. Today's older generations have the right to expect excellent homes and excellent support services and that is what we, along with our partners, are striving to deliver."

John Payne, Partnership Director, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust says: “Working with like-minded partners, our ambition at St Oswald’s Village is to provide a better quality of life for older people who may need care but wish to remain independent. The homes and facilities at St Oswald’s Village will pioneer a new style of retirement living which is affordable, and offers older people the opportunity to thrive as part of an active and outward-looking community.”

• An on-site care team, managed by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, will deliver up to 24-hour assessed care to residents in their own village homes. The Charity’s award-winning Well-being service (November 2009 UK Housing Awards) will support residents to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.


• Members of Gloucester’s Chinese community have supported the Village development from its early planning stages and several are prospective residents. The new Gloucestershire Chinese Resource Centre will be located next to the Village.


• The list of facilities in the Village Centre includes: a village hall, shop, restaurant, café bar, IT suite, craft room, woodwork shop, fitness centre, Well-being Centre, Enriched Opportunities Centre to support residents with dementia, spa pool, hairdressing salon, relaxation room, library, greenhouse and landscaped gardens.

 The St Oswald’s Village Centre Appeal to raise £1 million, is already under way to fund these amenities and has already achieved over £300,000. To support the Appeal, contact Judith Feeney on: 01295 720462 or 01452 396239 or 07866 105744. judefeeney@aol.com