ExtraCare village welcomes the Government’s Older People’s Housing Task Force

ExtraCare’s Shenley Wood Village warmly welcomed members of the Government’s Older People’s Housing Task Force during their visit this week.

Led by Village Manager Mark Penton and resident David Tunney, the Task Force explored a vibrant Integrated Retirement Community (IRC) on an immersive tour.

Prior to the visit, Mark and David engaged in insightful discussions about IRCs with Members of Parliament and other industry professionals during a trip to the Houses of Parliament earlier this week. On Wednesday’s tour of the village, they introduced the Task Force to residents who graciously shared their first-hand experiences of life in a retirement village.

There are exciting developments on the horizon for Shenley Wood Village, located in Milton Keynes, as it prepares for the imminent expansion of Phase 3 onto adjacent land. The Task Force had the unique opportunity to witness the future site of the new phase, gaining valuable insights into the village’s growth plans.

Members of the Task Force, on the visit included Ben Rosewall, Head of Investment, Later Living at Legal & General Capital; Andrew Surgenor, Senior Director (Operational Real Estate – Healthcare) at CBRE; and Chair of the Task Force, Professor Julienne Meyer CBE, Professor Emerita of Nursing: Care for Older People at City, University of London. They were joined by Alan Millward, Task Force Secretariat, Housing with Care & Support at the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities, and James Lloyd, Director of Policy & Communications for ARCO.

As national experts in the field of older people’s housing, the Task Force holds a crucial role. Its inception was announced in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper in February 2022, jointly launched by two government departments: the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Task Force’s establishment signifies the government’s commitment to expanding housing and care provisions for individuals in their later years.

Reflecting on the visit, Village Manager Mark Penton expressed his delight, stating, ‘We were thrilled to welcome the Task Force this week. An immersive experience in an IRC highlights the true value it brings to residents and society at large. We hope that the visit proved insightful for the Task Force members, and they are always welcome back to ExtraCare.'”