We look at an innovative award-winning housing co-op for mature women
WORDS: GILLIAN HARVEY
The idea of living in a community where neighbours call round, socialise and look out for one other sounds like something from the dim and distant past. But at New Ground – the UK’s first co-housing community exclusively for older women – this supportive, inclusive spirit is alive and well.
New Ground was formed in London in 1998 by a group of women determined to thrive in old age, and avoid the type of decline some experience in care homes.
Sadly, red tape, opposition and planning battles meant it would be 18 years before the community opened its doors. But now the women at New Ground are thriving.
So how does it work? Jude Tisdall, who has lived at New Ground since its opening, is keen to outline that the community is very different from sheltered accommodation or that offered by care homes.
“This is a small, private development with just 26 apartments with 26 residents. We own the site and run the site and are completely independent.
“We are a community – but most of us have lives outside of it, and many of us still work. But we support each other and look out for each other, too.”
For Jude one thing she’s gained from living at New Ground is peace of mind.
“I hated the idea of role-reversal that sometimes comes with old age. I didn’t want my daughter or granddaughter to have to worry about me. I want them to see me as I’ve always been – an outgoing, vibrant woman.”
As well as being a caring community, New Ground provides a brilliant social life for residents. While everyone has their individual living space, there are communal areas and gardens with activities running from film nights to yoga classes.
Of course like any living situation, it has taken time and negotiation to reach this level of caring harmony.
“I think the important thing we’ve learned is to find the right balance between privacy and community,” Jude explains. “It’s like when you’re living with any person for the first time – whether they’re family or a partner – there’s always that negotiating in early stages and, of course, doing that with 25 people has sometimes been a challenge.
“But we are all strong women or we wouldn’t have made this happen. We’ve never lost sight of that.”
As for the ‘no men’ rule, Jude explains how this was one of the concepts devised by the origina
