1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?