Annual Review Press Release

On average Inspired Villages reduced the biological age of its residents by 8.8 years through its gym and wellness facilities last year

● Inspired Villages wellbeing support for residents will save NHS costs as well as reduce bed blocking

● Inspired Villages reduced loneliness in the over 65s

● Leading the sustainability charge, Inspired Village launches the UK’s first Net Zero Carbon (regulated energy) retirement community

Inspired Villages, the UK’s leading later living operator, lifts the lid on its Annual Review findings today, which summarises the true social value of its villages and the improvement in wellbeing of its residents.

Currently operating eight villages with over 1,200 residents, Inspired is on track to deliver its plan, supported by Legal & General and NatWest Pension Funds’ half a billion pound Joint Venture commitment, to create 34 communities, with 5,100 purpose built homes, for up to 8,000 residents. The next villages to open over the coming months include Millfield Green in Bedfordshire and Ampfield Meadows in Hampshire which are currently under construction.

Social impact at its core

As well as the village’s environmental credentials, Inspired is driving change by creating placed based social impact. The ageing of the population is happening faster than at any time in human history; this will have a drastic effect on how society operates. As well as reducing pressures on the finite resources of the NHS and adult social care, alleviating bed blocking, GP visits and care needs, Inspired Villages is also able to deliver outstanding reductions in the biological age of its residents through an active lifestyle. The review revealed that their residents on average reduced their biological age by 8.8 years in just 12 months during 2022 through Inspired Village’s fitness and wellbeing gym activities and facilities.

A vibrant, well supported Integrated Retirement Community sector could contribute game-changing results across the housing market which is currently restrained by the lack of a culture of retirement living. People wanting to sell their family homes are inhibited by the lack of age-appropriate property. Instead, large family homes are under-occupied and unavailable to younger, growing families, which in turn impacts the first-time buyer market.

Inspired Villages empowers its residents to rightsize their accommodation while expanding social circles with a wider community of those experiencing a similar stage of life. The review demonstrates the significant benefits and importance of community, especially for those aged 65+. With loneliness notably higher in over 65s than in any other demographic, Inspired Villages makes a concerted effort to host many activities that connect residents in their villages using ‘Inspired Friendships’.

Inspired Villages has hosted over 100 Inspired Friendships events over the last year, including the launch of its Friendship Bus, hosted 55 coffee mornings, as well as made 500 one-to-one calls to ensure it reduces the impact of loneliness and isolation. Recent research carried out by Inspired Villages found that 96% of their residents were content with their level of companionship and social contact and were not in a state of loneliness. This is compared to more than 1 million over 75s in the UK who go over a month without ever speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member*.

Sustainable living

Leading the sector’s sustainability charge, Inspired Villages has also established its vision to be Net Zero by 2030 and its ESG credentials pave a way for the future of the later living category.

The business builds homes which are ultra-efficient and it is pioneering the UK’s first net zero retirement communities by taking many steps across their villages, such as; usage of ground source heat pumps, solar panels, clean energy use, electric cars and providing energy discounts to new residents. For example, at Millfield Green which is opening in Autumn this year, 100% of homes have been designed with all of these features as well as high-quality insulation, ventilation and high-performance double-glazed windows.

Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages commented:

“We’re excited to publish our Annual Review 2022 and share the great progress made against our plan to positively transform the later living sector. We continue to be driven by a passion for building communities where people can live the best years of their life. By championing holistic wellbeing, the enhancement to the lives of our residents is so palpable, we’re looking at ways we can open this up to wider communities across the whole UK. Our ageing population are proud, passionate, and curious about trying new things and long may we continue empowering them all to do that.

“There are so few organisations that can measure in bricks and mortar, kilograms lost, independence retained, and strength, friends and healthy years gained, how to actually transform the stereotypes of ageing. And in some cases, even turn back the clock.

“Leaving the planet in a better place than we found it is another driving force of Inspired Village’s motivation and purpose. Today we face some extraordinary environmental challenges but within these come opportunities to make change. Inspired Villages is the first UK operator to develop a Net Zero Integrated Retirement Community with Millfield Green opening later this year. Our ambition to be fully Net Zero by 2030 should set a precedent for all future later living communities, to ensure we play our part in reducing further environmental damage.

“We remain focused in our mission to continue leading the sector by example, as a powerhouse of innovation, growth and opportunity, which benefits all.”

_{* https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/loneliness-in-older-people/}

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