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Minister for Housing and Homelessness Visits Longbridge Village

Heather Wheeler MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, visited Longbridge Village to learn more about the work the charity is doing to create better lives for older people.

While she was there she met residents in the village gym, craft room, well-being suite and the greenhouse, seeing how the community has a positive impact on the lives of residents. The Minister also met Yvonne Bainbridge, who has lived in Longbridge Village since it opened in July 2017. She told the minister how much her life has changed since moving to Longbridge.

Yvonne, who uses a wheelchair, is receiving care at her village home. Before the move she was living alone, lonely and frightened. Now she is in a two bedroom rented apartment at the village, and takes part in activities such as singing in the choir and painting for pleasure. ‘It is life changing to be in this place,’ she said. ‘I’m safe, the care is brilliant, I’m meeting lots of people, and I’m enjoying lunch clubs and classes. It has made my life worth living.’

A study with Aston University found that residents living in ExtraCare’s Birmingham villages reduced their dependence on GP and hospital services. This means a 38 per cent reduction in NHS costs per person each year. Levels of depression often associated with isolation, mobility issues and poor health reduced by 64 per cent.

Photo captions: Longbridge resident Elaine Howell at the village gym with Heather Wheeler MP

Yvonne Bainbridge (L) takes part in the village choir

Longbridge retirement village choir

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

ExtraCare is a registered charity established in 1988 and based in Coventry. Our vision is better lives for older people and our mission is creating sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed. To deliver our vision and mission we essentially do three things:

  • We develop new villages
  • We operate villages and schemes
  • We support our villages, schemes and our ‘extra-care’ model through fundraising, advocacy and research

Each village or scheme has 5 to 18 social, health and leisure facilities that are accessible to our residents, volunteers and local people representing all age groups living in surrounding communities. Our Charity Shops help fund care and well-being services for older people living at our each of our locations.

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