New Village takes retirement living to new heights

We will provide care for up to a third of residents within their own homes. There is also a well-being service providing advice on healthy living, supporting early diagnosis and GP referral linked to common conditions such as diabetes or abnormal blood pressure.

Our trailblazing work on health and housing was recently recognised when we won the Outstanding Approach to Innovation award at the 2016 UK Housing Awards. The award was granted for our innovative well-being and dementia services, the creation of cost savings and the delivery of better outcomes for people.

In addition, recent independent research by Aston University that shows care costs are slashed by more than a third at our villages while residents’ health benefits soar.

As well as positive impacts for residents, there are wider housing and economic benefits for the surrounding area. Firstly, the development helps people downsize, thereby freeing up family-sized homes. For example, Rebecca, an 82-year-old widow, is moving from the four-bedroomed house where she has lived for the last 47 years. As she says: “It’s a big house and there’s only me rattling around. It needs a family in it.”

In addition, the construction work that started two years ago has created more than 200 jobs. Around 35 village staff have been recruited locally to provide care, hospitality, housekeeping and activity services.

With such wide-ranging benefits for both people and places, we are confident that our efforts to innovate and improve the retirement housing offer will continue to lead the way and ensure even more people are able to live active, independent lives into older age.

Mark Curran is Development and Sales Director at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

Join the conversation on Twitter – @ExtraCareOrgUk