Jon Stevens, University of Birmingham November 2016 ‘The Spirit of Living’: in Woodchester Valley Village and in other collaborative developments for older people Jon Stevens, University of Birmingham November 2016

Why collaborative housing? For 6 years, I have been exploring forms of housing for older people that they develop/own/manage I have travelled widely; visiting more than 25 schemes/groups and contacting/researching many more 100+ schemes of this kind

Many forms: similar benefits Collaborative housing for older people takes many forms: self-developed, co-produced, off-the-shelf, repurposed or community-based But the reported benefits are similar: Control gives independence and security Whilst living in active/sociable communities That engender mutual care and support Leading to enhanced well-being and reduced dependency

A unique example Woodchester Valley Village is a unique example It may have been forced on the residents but the wider benefits have been far greater than they expected

This is our place Woodchester Valley Village is our place, we own it and we all have a say in how it’s run The Village is more informal and non-institutional now and there is a lot more of a community

The ‘spirit of living’ at WVV Woodchester Valley Village has its own ‘spirit of living’ Living here has added years to many peoples’ lives because of the mutual care and support that is part of the fabric of the place

Together we make it work We needed to build trust and a membership culture…so that everyone would be able to contribute Members and their families come first It was important to find the right person to manage the Village

We need more housing of this kind More community-owned places like Woodchester Valley Village would ensure that many people could look forward to a stimulating, sociable and secure old age Professor Peter Wilson So what is standing in the way?