Retirement village rated ‘outstanding’ as it celebrates 10th anniversary
Older people at Lovat Fields Retirement Village have been celebrating at the double this summer. The village marked its tenth anniversary with a week of fun filled events. And they had plenty to celebrate after the village was awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission at their latest inspection.
The village, in Willen, Milton Keynes, is run by registered charity The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and is home to around 350 older people.
The birthday celebrations included entertainment by a steel band, a birthday themed brolly walk around the village, an afternoon tea tribute to Vera Lynn and a village themed birthday party.
During the past ten years residents have enjoyed holidays, an annual trip to dance at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, dinner dances and cabaret nights. The village is famous for its annual pantomime, written, directed and performed by residents, friends and staff.
Grandmother Jan Cook, aged 73, has lived at the village since it opened and leads the residents’ association. She is also editor of the village newsletter, and volunteers in the coffee shop. ‘I’m very proud of this village. It is such a supportive community,’ she said. ‘There is so much going on here and you feel safe and secure. I’m not on my own because this is like a second family here. It is simply the best place to live.’
Lovat Fields Village Manager Anna Selby said she was proud that the village received top marks from the CQC. She said: ‘It is a phenomenal achievement, demonstrating that the ExtraCare model, philosophy, opportunities and activities can really support people to live fulfilled and meaningful lives.’
The preliminary inspection report stated that Lovat Fields is ‘outstandingly well-led’ with a ‘responsive service’ noting that ‘the way the service responded to people’s individual needs in all areas of their lives was exceptional and had clearly improved their quality of life and well-being.’ Only 1% of providers across the UK can call themselves ‘outstanding.’
ExtraCare’s Executive Director Operations, Angela Harding, said: ‘The team should feel very proud of themselves. They have delivered an outstanding service to our residents.’
Facilities at Lovat Fields include a restaurant and café bar, village hall, fitness gym, craft room, woodwork room, IT suite, hairdressing salon and library.
Homes are affordable with a range of outright purchase, shared ownership, and tenancy options available. Residents can also access ExtraCare’s award winning well-being programme. A recent study with Aston University found that residents living in ExtraCare’s villages reduced their dependence on GP and hospital services. Care is available on site for residents who need support to live independently.
Lovat Fields is one of two retirement villages in Milton Keynes run by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust. The other is Shenley Wood Village.
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For more information please contact: Richard Tower, Communications Manager 0772 055 3658 richard.tower@extracare.org.uk
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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