A new extra care community in Romsey hosted its official opening ceremony – celebrating its state-of-the-art homes for people aged 55 and over, including those with care and support needs.
Nightingale Lodge, named after Victorian icon and former Romsey resident Florence Nightingale, is a new, 54-home community. It has been delivered by Places for People Living Plus in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, with development partner Lovell Later Living. The community has already been a success, with many customers comfortable in their one and two-bed apartments.
At the launch, the partners welcomed guests including Councillor Liz Fairhurst from Hampshire County Council and Councillor Tracy Tasker from Test Valley Borough Council. They joined customers to watch the cutting of the ribbon by Philip Belgeonne who was the first customer to move into Nightingale Lodge with his beloved partner, Francoise, who sadly recently passed. In attendance, was also Molly who at 90 years young was another early customer. Molly and her family ‘cannot speak highly enough of her new home and all the fabulous staff here’.
Speaking at the launch, Andy Lomas, Managing Director – Communities at Places for People, said: “We were thrilled to hold our official opening ceremony. Everyone enjoyed celebrating together and it was a joy to share the day with our customers at Nightingale Lodge. Our significant investment into creating new extra care communities offer customers and their families complete reassurance and peace of mind that they are living in a safe, self-contained yet engaging environment.”
Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Adult Services and Public Health said: “Nightingale Lodge forms an important part of the County Council’s £45m investment in Extra Care accommodation across Hampshire. It is thanks to the success of the close partnership with Places for People Living Plus and others that we are able to deliver accommodation that meets the changing care needs of our county’s older residents. We are pleased to be continuing to invest in similar communities in other areas to support local people to maintain as much independence as possible in later life.”
Paula Broadbent, Managing Director, Lovell Later Living added: “I am excited for us to have completed another vital extra care community in partnership with Places for People Living Plus.
“The official opening of Nightingale Lodge marks significant progress – responding once again to the need for homes with care solutions. It has been a real pleasure for the Lovell Later Living team to see customers moved in and settled into their new homes. The opening event provided us with the opportunity to see how this development supports local older people and is providing a thriving new community, all whilst providing long-term jobs for local people.
“We look forward to celebrating two further communities in Gosport and New Milton, both set to open in 2023, and building on our commitment to our partners Places for People Living Plus and Hampshire County Council.”
Nightingale Lodge is located just one mile from the historic market town of Romsey and a short drive from the New Forest, meaning that customers are surrounded by local attractions to enjoy with family and friends – and with private customers’ parking at Nightingale Lodge, living there is hassle free.
