A vision has been unveiled for a trailblazing £3.6m retirement village in north Cumbria.

Work is starting to create a complex – one of the first of its kind in the UK – in the grounds of an Edwardian mansion on the edge of Carlisle.

The scheme at Scalesceugh Hall, south of the city, is designed to be an alternative to nursing homes and sheltered accommodation. It is inspired by similar developments in Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand.

The couple behind the project, Dr Anita Herdeiro and her husband Bruno, hope it will have a major impact on how older people in Cumbria – with its increasingly ageing population – are cared for.

Care for the elderly is one of the biggest social and medical issues faced by the county.

“There’s something about upping the game, to raise the bar for retirement, and everyone else will have to look at it differently,” said Dr Herdeiro.

The development, which will initially have 16 “villas” will be part of a self-contained community, complete with healthcare and estates staff.

Facilities will include a library, coffee lounge and activity room.

“It’s a village in the sense of it’s a community but it’s not an institution,” added Dr Herdeiro.

“Many retirement villages are still seen as an institution. We are before that, helping people to lead a healthy life.

“In an institution there are a lot of things done to you. If you come here at the beginning there will be a committee and they will interview the staff that work here for example. As clinicians we try to do a lot of that, get people to make decisions.

“People look forward to their retirement in the Nordic countries because they know they can enjoy it in stunning locations,”

Bruno said: “In Cumbria, which has high social isolation, it’s the perfect place. Cumbria can be an afterthought in many respects so starting here for us is inspiring.”

Dr Herdeiro said: “There’s a big issue with loneliness which is high here in Cumbria. We are offering a new perspective on retirement.

“People talk about growing old with dignity or with grace. To me that’s all about staying healthy and active in mind and body, keeping connected to friends and family and being part of a vibrant community.

“Working as a physician in units for medicine for the elderly, I saw the lack of provision for my patients for excellent holistic care.

“I saw examples across Europe and beyond which led me to think about creating a more holistic environment for people who are concerned about keeping active, fit and well in their retirement.

“They have the best years of their life ahead, and we want to create an environment to make those years even better.”

Those who live in the new Scalesceugh Hall villas will buy their property and be able to sell it or leave it to loved ones.

There has been intense interest for a number of years in what the future could hold for Scalesceugh Hall and estate, which was home to Cumbria Cerebral Palsy Society until 2011.

Comment: Page 12

Housing go-ahead: Page 15

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