News

Largest UK Retirement Village Opens For Nottingham Residents

17th June 2009

New Village residents Bill and Barbara Hodder joined the Lord Mayor and 150 guests for a tour of Lark Hill Village on Friday 28th August 2009 as the UK's largest retirement village opened its doors, offering Nottingham's older people a radical alternative to the traditional care home.


327 homes have been built for City residents (aged 60 to 95 plus) with a choice of affordable rent or purchase options. Up to 24-hour assessed care is available for those who need it, delivered by a qualified on-site staff team.

At the heart of Lark Hill's 24-acre site is a Village Centre with 18 health and leisure facilities including a restaurant, fitness gym, IT Suite and greenhouse, all designed to enrich the lives of villagers, their families and hundreds of visitors from across the community.

The result of an eleven-year partnership between Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Primary Care Trust, The Department of Health and The ExtraCare Charitable Trust the ambition is that residents will have a safe and sociable 'home for life' where couples can remain together and where residents should not need to be admitted to a hospital or a nursing home environment.

Commenting on the opening of the Village, Councillor Eunice Campbell, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio holder for Adult Service and Health, said: "This has been a fine example of partnership working to bring to the City a completely new way of living for older people. Schemes like Lark Hill restore the community, cement friendships and create a sense of belonging. The village will offer residents and the community a real haven where older people can learn new skills, enjoy activities and celebrate life, irrespective of means or frailty – it's a retirement village for the 'not so retiring'."

John Graham OBE, Managing Director of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said:

“Nationally, there is a growing debate about the future of elderly care, in particular, how we offer greater opportunities for older people to enjoy independence and freedom, especially those who need support, are isolated or have limited means.

"Lark Hill Village offers a huge range of activities for its residents within a safe and busy environment. There's tailored support for people who need it and an active well-being programme which is driven by the residents themselves.

"The involvement of families, volunteers and visitors representing a wide range of ages ensures that the people who live here can enjoy a full and active life as part of Nottingham’s wider community."

Aged 71, future villager Bill Hodder recently achieved a 13,000 feet tandem parachute jump to help raise the last £117,000 for facilities in the Village Centre (as part of the £3m Lark Hill Village Appeal). Commenting on his future Village life he said:

"Barbara and I will be living in a safe community with full and active lives – it's a relief to know that we will have support and care if we need it and a joy to have made so many new friends even before we have moved in. The concept is inspired."

To register interest for Village application details please phone:
0115 969 5000.