Introducing Abbeyfield UK

Abbeyfield UK provides quality housing with support and care for older people from all walks of life, regardless of income. The Abbeyfield movement was launched by Richard Carr-Gomm in 1956. Its name comes from the meeting place of the first voluntary committee in Abbeyfield Road, London. The movement arose with a vision by its founder to establish place for friendship and company and where the wisdom and experience of older people can continue to be shared with the community.

Traditionally, Abbeyfield services have been managed by local volunteer-led societies that are independent non-profit making organisations in a federated as The Abbeyfield Society. There were more than 550 Abbeyfield societies throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland supporting over 8,000 residents when Abbeyfield UK was established in 2003.

Social Landlord (RSL)

Abbeyfield UK was set up to protect the future of the Abbeyfield movement and is itself a member of the Abbeyfield Society. Abbeyfield UK was registered as a social landlord (RSL) in 2003 and has since grown rapidly in size as many local societies chose to merge their operations with a professional central organisation. Abbeyfield UK is building on its achievements to further develop innovative, high quality care and support services for older people in care homes and supported sheltered housing across England.

There are Scottish Welsh and Northern Ireland arms of the Abbeyfield movement, and the Abbeyfield Society acts as a co-ordinating function for the movement. Its website will signpost people to a range of care and support services for older people.

Our Philosophy of Care

Abbeyfield UK’s mission is:

"To help an increasing number of older people enjoy a high quality of independent living provided through a range of services, including housing, support or care, with local community involvement"

Key to Abbeyfield UK work is the view that:

• older people have an important role to play amongst their families, friends and in their community
• overcoming loneliness and insecurity can make all the difference to a person's wellbeing and quality of life
• local people have an essential part to play in helping older people in their community.

Abbeyfield UK offer residents:

• The chance to live in dignity, valued and respected as individuals, enjoying all rights associated with citizenship
• Privacy and confidentiality in respect of their private affairs
• Security and safety within their homes as part of caring community, able to enjoy the right to be alone and undisturbed
• The opportunity to live a full life and seek fulfilment as individuals, making informed choices about the way they live their lives
• As much independence as they are able to enjoy, taking their own decisions and appropriate risks
• Access to a complaints procedure that generates service improvements

Abbeyfield UK offer commissioners:

• Over 50 years experience of working in local communities
• Small homes that are part of the community that allow residents to feel at home
• Professional, trained staff who understand the needs of residents who may only need short stay or respite care
• Specialist services in some areas looking after people with special needs- such as dementia care or mental health needs
• Flexibility to develop our services to meet local needs and work in partnership with commissioners to meet local strategic plans
• A dynamic and creative approach to providing and developing innovative services for older people in remote communities
• A national provider seeking local solutions with excellence in service provision

Abbeyfield UK look for opportunities to enhance the role of volunteers to promote companionship, health living activities, physical & intellectual stimulation saying ”we believe volunteers add value in a care setting by a restoration of peer group support and bringing the dynamism of activity and enthusiasm. We seek to anchor the home in the life of the wider community.”

Abbeyfield UK
53 Victoria Street
St Albans
Herts AL1 3UW

www.abbeyfield.com

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