Our Purpose
Since building our first development in 1977, we have become the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities. We have sold over 58,000 properties across 1,300 developments. We are focussed on developing beautiful, sustainable and more affordable places to live, with flexible services and choice of ownership options at the core of our developments, designed around the needs of our customers and their families.
We believe that retirement living is so much more than simply deciding to move into a new home that’s better suited to our customers’ needs. It’s also an opportunity for them to embrace a new way of life, to have the freedom to live a lifestyle with more choices and more time to do the things they enjoy.
Our considered approach means we are the only home builder to have gained the top rating in the Home Builders’ Federation’s Customer Satisfaction Survey every year since it was introduced in 2005. We are committed to ensuring that older people can continue to enjoy their independence safe in the knowledge that help and support is never far away.
As part of our commitment to local communities, we work closely with site neighbours and stakeholders to help ensure we prepare the best possible plans before we submit a planning application for a new scheme. This consultation website is part of our activity to engage local people in the design of our schemes, and we hope you find them helpful and informative.
Retirement Living Plus (Extra-Care)
Retirement Living PLUS is a form of Extra Care housing, are designed specifically for the over-70s. They also offer many on-site facilities such as restaurants, well-being suites and function rooms. Importantly, they also provide on-site CQC-regulated care and support packages to assist those needing additional help.
Designed to make life a little easier – Our developments are carefully designed with the needs of our customers in mind, with step-free access throughout the building. The beautiful apartments are all built to generous internal space standards and are adaptable for wheelchair use. They are built to incorporate features designed to help customers maintain their independence, such as 24-hour emergency call points, level-access bathrooms, good lighting, and switches / electrical sockets at a raised height to reduce bending.
Stunning shared spaces – Along with the benefits of independent living within their own apartments, residents can enjoy activities in the shared spaces within the development, including a club lounge, guest suite and landscaped outside spaces. These shared spaces within retirement communities help to combat loneliness in later life more effectively, as there is a ready-made community available. We make this a priority within our developments, ensuring that a range of activities, trips, and opportunities to make new friends are available to our residents.
All the independence, None of the worry
Having to maintain a large property can be a burden, especially for someone living on their own. That’s why every Retirement Living development has its own fully-trained House Manager – someone to manage the day-to-day running of the development and to be on hand during office hours. Our House Managers act as a ‘friendly neighbour’ and helps to arrange many of the social activities that take place in our developments. We are experts in the experience of growing older, and constantly adapt our offering to the changing needs of our homeowners, with flexible on-site services, including electric car clubs in some of our developments. Customers also have a camera entry system linked to the TV in their apartment, and the peace of mind of having our 24-hour emergency call service available at the push of a button. Estate management and support services are provided by us – no third party is involved.
Friendship, Fun and Support
Later life is filled with possibility, and we believe there is vitality in togetherness that gives people purpose and a sense of fulfilment. Along with the benefits of independent living within their own apartments, homeowners can enjoy activities in the shared spaces within the development. These include a shared lounge and a guest suite for when friends and family come to stay. All our developments also include beautifully landscaped outside spaces which enhance both the building and the local neighbourhood, as well as providing a social area for homeowners to come together which is, importantly, accessible to older people. The shared spaces provided with our retirement communities help to combat loneliness in later life more effectively. A readymade supportive community is available for homeowners to access, whilst retaining their independence and involvement in the wider local area, as they choose. We make this a priority within our developments, ensuring that a range of social activities, events, organised outings, and opportunities to make new friends are available to all its homeowners.