Meet the 60-plus women who live together in the only co-housing project for women over 50 in the UK
When the friends and family of New Ground residents hear about the project, they’re sometimes a bit dubious! “People ask me what it’s like living with a bunch of older women,” says resident Vivien (79). “But the truth is, living among these women is inspirational!”
New Ground was founded by a group of female friends, who often discussed living plans for their later years. Researching options, they came across the concept of co-housing – a group of private homes, arranged around central communal spaces, aiming to encourage social support networks. It wasn’t long until they set about creating their own version. Staunch feminists, the group decided their community would be all-female. “Women of our generation are well aware men of the same age expect to run things,” says resident Angela (90). “We don’t want that kind of competition!”
Asite was found in High Barnet in London on the grounds of an old convent. The women worked closely with architects to reach a design that would suit them. Funding, planning laws and council objections all delayed the project and, in the end, it took 18 years before they could finally move into New Ground.
But as word of the scheme spread, many women reached out, interested in purchasing a flat. “I didn’t want to move into a regular residential home,” says Jude (71). “I wanted to have ownership of how I lived.”
Today, around 26 women live at New Ground, and decisions about the running of the community are made democratically by residents. Monthly business meetings are often followed by a communal meal in the large Common House.
Women also split maintenance tasks, benefiting from each other’s individual skills. While Angela handles gardening duties, Charlotte (70) hosts regular film nights for the other residents. “It keeps your brain and spirit going,” she says.
In fact, these strong women are somewhat reminiscent of The Golden Girls, the iconic TV series that followed four older women living together in Miami. Residents also help care for each other’s health through a ‘buddy’ system. Living alone and with family far away, many older people struggle to find support.
“I went through a period of ill-health in my 60s,” says Vivien. “I realised I wasn’t particularly close with any of my immediate neighbours, and there was no one to check on me.”
But at New Ground, the women have split themselves into groups of three or four, so they can offer su
