Half a million bed days spent keeping people living with dementia in hospital unnecessarily
Tackling dementia care is key to easing winter pressures, says Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society has today published – for the first time – data revealing the true extent of delays to discharge from hospital for people living with dementia, and the knock-on effect for NHS winter pressures. Figures show that around a quarter (24%) of people aged 65 and over who are fit to be discharged but are kept in hospital for a week longer than necessary are believed to have dementia – nearly 29,000 people in one year.
The NHS England data, analysed by HSJ Information and Alzheimer’s Society, also shows the impact of dementia on delayed discharge gets worse the longer people stay in hospital. The proportion of people believed to have dementia rises to almost a third (31%) for patients kept in for at least 21 days longer than they should be.
Delayed discharge from hospital happens when someone is deemed medically fit for discharge but is unable to return home. While the insights released today do not include the reasons for delays, it is well known that the causes are often poor planning and availability of dementia-appropriate follow-on support in health and social care services.
Delayed discharge reduces the numbers of beds available, creating bottlenecks that affect other parts of the NHS and exacerbate current winter pressures.
Staying in hospital unnecessarily increases a person’s risk of complications. Delayed discharge can be especially damaging for people living with dementia, who are more likely to struggle with the unfamiliar and often distressing hospital ward environment. Risks include infections, falls, worsening cognitive function, poor mental health, malnutrition and dehydration.
The figures also reveal wide-spread variation at a local level, with some integrated care boards (ICBs) faring much worse than others. For example, Suffolk and North East Essex ICB reports that one in five people (19%) aged over 65 kept in hospital for 21 days longer than necessary were believed to have dementia. This proportion more than doubles at North Central London ICB, where 44% of over 65s kept in longer than 21 days were believed to have dementia.
Michelle Dyson CB, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society said:
“Every year, the NHS faces extreme winter pressures and we see time and time again the struggle to cope with the numbers of people needing urgent care. It is clear from these figures that dementia is a key part of the puzzle. People living with dementia are being left stranded in hospital, which is neither good for them nor the NHS.
“Tackling dementia care and support would make a huge difference to the NHS’s ability to cope at this time of year. Early diagnosis and access to appropriate services can help to prevent hospital admissions in the first place, while better care and support would also mean those in hospital could leave when they are well enough.
“The Government has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to fix this, as it prepares its new blueprint for dementia health and social care, the Modern Service Framework. Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and the greatest challenge facing health and social care services. The new plan must rise to the magnitude of the challenge, improving care to keep people healthier for longer and ultimately reduce the devastation caused by dementia.”
Martin Farran, 64, is a semi-retired director of social care services who lives in West Yorkshire. His mum, Sarah, is 88 and lives in a care home in Lancashire. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.
Sarah has had multiple hospital admissions over the years as a result of falls and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Once in hospital, she has routinely been kept in longer than necessary, despite a care package being in place for her to return to her accommodation.
In 2023, Sarah spent a month on a surgical ward. She had not had – and nor did she need – surgery. Martin was away at the time and says his sisters were fobbed off when they asked questions about why she was there and when she would be discharged. Martin eventually insisted on taking her home, but even then had to persuade staff that he could come back to the hospital later to collect a prescription, instead of keeping her in several more hours to wait for it.
Martin says:
“I know from my professional career how big a challenge dementia is for health and social care but it wasn’t until mum became unwell that I understood the gravity of what it is to live with it. I am generally very positive about the NHS – and the staff who have looked after mum at various times have been very kind – but the system just isn’t set up to deal with dementia.
“When she was in sheltered accommodation, nearly every fall or UTI resulted in a hospital visit, which was completely unnecessary. Those hospital stays really affected mum. The staff don’t usually have the time or the training to talk to patients, get to know them and help them understand what’s happening. As a result, she was confused and very isolated, which wasn’t good for her mental health. Her physical health has taken a hit too – if you don’t support someone with dementia to stay active, their mobility can decline very quickly.
“Now she is in a care home, she’s getting much better support. They are better equipped to manage dementia, which prevents the need for disruptive hospital visits. With my mum, for example, they are good at helping her stay hydrated, which in turn reduces the risk of UTIs and falls. She’s finally getting the dementia-specific care she needs and the impact is really clear – her physical health is good, she sleeps really well and she has people around her for company, which makes a huge difference to her mental wellbeing.”
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said:
“The system is not working for people with dementia, and I am very grateful for the important work Alzheimer's Society is doing to bring this issue to light.
“Social care should be seen as a critical partner to the NHS, receiving the funding needed to deliver the best outcomes for people living with dementia. This is particularly important in the context of winter pressures; the capacity in social care needs to be utilised in order to ease pressure on the NHS and deliver for patients."
Adam Gordon, Professor of the Care of Older People at the Academic Centre for Healthy Ageing, Queen Mary University of London, and Chair of Alzheimer’s Society’s Clinical Advisory Group, said:
“These figures paint a stark picture of delayed discharge from hospital for people living with dementia. As a practicing clinician, I see the real trauma that these delays cause to people living with dementia and their families. The knock-on effect caused by unnecessary additional pressure on the NHS during its busiest winter months makes it difficult for us to give our patients the care they deserve.
“That’s why we need to address the root causes of avoidable hospital admissions, by improving early and accurate diagnosis, and the quality of care and support people living with dementia receive. We also need more timely and expert care for people living with dementia when they need to come into hospital, to ensure they can return home promptly and in the best possible health. The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia offers a vital opportunity to fix these foundations, through a clear focus on improving dementia care pathways. We must make the most of this opportunity.”
Rates of delayed discharge from hospital have risen steadily since the pandemic but as yet data on dementia specifically has not been publicly available. The data comes from NHS England and has been analysed by HSJ Information and Alzheimer’s Society. It includes use of private beds by the NHS. In total, keeping people living with dementia in hospital unnecessarily accounts for 584,080 bed days, which the charity estimates cost the NHS £328m in 2024/25.
NHS evaluation shows up to 75% reduction in hospital visits in care homes using Nobi Smart Lights
An independent NHS evaluation has found that care homes using Nobi Smart Lights recorded up to 75% fewer falls-related hospital visits and up to 65% fewer ambulance call-outs, significantly reducing pressure on emergency services while improving safety for residents.
The evaluation, carried out by the Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB), studied 87 rooms across seven care homes providing residential, nursing, dementia and assisted living care. Outcomes were assessed by comparing six months of baseline data with six months following installation, with some homes recording zero fall-related hospital admissions during the evaluation period.
For families, the technology provided reassurance that help would arrive quickly when it mattered most.
Nobi’s AI-enabled, ceiling-mounted smart lights detect falls in real time, alert staff within seconds and automatically illuminate when residents get out of bed, helping to prevent night-time falls. Staff also reported greater confidence when responding to unwitnessed incidents, less time spent reconstructing events and completing documentation, and fewer intrusive checks on residents.
“The Nobi light gives me peace of mind because Mum does fall a lot,” said the daughter of a resident at a participating Suffolk care home. “I felt guilty about her going into a home, but now I know staff are alerted instantly and can be there straight away.”
The evaluation formed part of the ICB’s Digitising Social Care Programme, which supports care providers to adopt digital solutions that improve safety and quality of care. Implementation was delivered in partnership with Porters Care, one of Nobi’s UK partners, with support from Suffolk County Council and participating care providers.
The report found that improved outcomes were driven by faster fall detection, clearer insight into incidents and more appropriate escalation decisions. Better visibility helped staff distinguish genuine falls from controlled descents, enabling more situations to be managed safely within the care home and reducing unnecessary ambulance call-outs.
Residents benefited from faster support when needed, while families reported increased trust in care quality and decision-making.
Roeland Pelgrims, CEO and Co-Founder of Nobi, said, “This independent NHS evaluation shows how intelligent care technology can deliver measurable improvements for residents, care teams and the wider health system. By giving staff timely, reliable insight, we can help reduce avoidable hospital admissions while improving safety, dignity and peace of mind.”
Using NHS reference costs, the evaluation estimates £89,000 in avoided emergency-care costs over six months, equating to a projected return on investment of approximately 196% over three years.
David Knowles, Managing Director of Porters Care, added, “These findings show the real-world impact of smart technology in care homes. By improving how falls are detected and understood, Nobi helps teams make clearer decisions and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, while keeping residents safe.”
Further independent NHS-led evaluations are currently underway in other UK regions, contributing to a growing evidence base on the role of digital care technology in improving outcomes for residents and reducing pressure on health services.
‘OUTSTANDING’ NORFOLK VILLAGE CARE HOME SOLD TO GROWING GROUP
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Ealing House residential care home in Martham, Norfolk.
Ealing House is a CQC ‘Outstanding’ rated care home registered for up to 17 elderly residents. It occupies a substantial, detached two-storey property located in the village of Martham, located in The Broads National Park, an area of East Norfolk.
The home has been owned by Vince and Jenny Ewing for thirteen years and was brought to market to allow them to retire.
Following a confidential sales process with Rosie Turner at Christie & Co, it has been sold to experienced operator, 365 Care Homes Ltd, which now owns six homes.
Vince and Jenny Ewing, the former owners of Ealing House, comment,
“Acquired Dec 2012, we always had an ambition to make high-quality care our standout USP, and we achieved this, which led to commercial success. Ealing House has been a labour of love for both of us, but we now want to enjoy retirement and our family before we are too old to do so. We wish 365 Care Homes all the best for the future. We are sure that the support they can provide as a group operator will help enhance the reputation of Ealing House moving into the future.”
Dasith Sarathchandra, Operations Manager at 365 Care Homes Ltd, comments, “We are delighted to welcome Ealing House into the 365 Care Homes family. The home has an outstanding reputation for person-centred care, delivered by a truly dedicated and compassionate team. Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for residents and staff while continuing to build on the strong foundations already in place.”
Rosie Turner, Senior Business Agent – Care at Christie & Co, Comments,
“The sale of Ealing House continues to highlight the strong demand for care homes of all sizes across the country. Both the buyer and sellers worked incredibly hard to get this sale across the line just before Christmas, allowing the new owners to take over with limited disruption and our client to enjoy their holiday! It was a pleasure to support this transaction, and I wish Vince, Jenny, and the team at 365 Care Homes Ltd every success for the future.”
Ealing House was sold for an undisclosed price.
Making wishes come true: Care UK’s ‘Wishing Tree’ initiative on International Men's Day
International Men’s Day, which takes place on 19th November each year, supports men and boys by prioritising their wellbeing and enabling positive conversations about masculinity.
This year, Care UK is using the day to spotlight its ongoing Wishing Tree initiative, and the positive impact that these additional day trips and experiences can have on residents. The Wishing Tree might help them to reconnect with old hobbies or former friends, try something new or relive a cherished memory, all in aid of supporting residents’ wellbeing and allowing them to live a fulfilling life.
The teams in Care UK homes go above and beyond to make these wishes a reality, creating meaningful experiences that enrich the lives of residents and highlighting the positive impact of person-centred care.
The Wishing Tree celebrates the passions and individuality of each resident but, depending on the wish, can also foster a sense of community, or bring them closer to share a new memory with their loved one. That was the case for 94-year-old Dennis at Foxland Grange in Wolverhampton. The team pulled out all the stops to make his dream of flying in a helicopter a reality earlier this year. Accompanied by his daughter, Dennis took to the skies and enjoyed a scenic flight over Bridgnorth and the Severn Valley Railway. This experience has given Dennis the courage to pursue more items on his bucket list.
At Kentford Manor in Newmarket, 85-year-old David, a former farmer, had always wanted to return to a farm and feed the animals. Thanks to the Wishing Tree initiative, the care home team arranged for David to spend a special day at Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, feeding and caring for the animals. He began farming at just 12 years old to help on the family farm, so this experience brought back fond memories and allowed him to reconnect with his passion for farming.
For 90-year-old Peter, a resident at Hartismere Place in Eye, the Wishing Tree initiative meant revisiting his lifelong love of sailing. The care home team got in touch with Waveney Stardust Trust and arranged a trip on a motor cruiser along the River Waveney, complete with a picnic lunch on board for Peter and his fellow residents. Peter's connection to the water runs deep, and this experience allowed him to reconnect with his past and create new memories on the waves.
At Cavell Court in Norwich, a group of residents were treated to a day of golf at the Norwich Family Golf Centre arrange by the care home team. Terence, Vincenzo, and Nihal, all in their 70s and 80s, enjoyed riding in golf buggies, practicing at the driving range, and soaking up the atmosphere with drinks and lunch in the clubhouse. This experience allowed them to try something new and enjoy each other's company.
These stories demonstrate it's never too late to try something new, revisit old passion, or make new memories. To find out about the Wishing Tree initiative: https://www.careuk.com/life-at-a-care-uk-home/wishing-trees
CHARITY’S LITTLE BRAMINGHAM FARM RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME IS STRINGING UP HOLIDAY CHEER AND LIGHTING UP THE FESTIVE SEASON
Friends of the Elderly’s Luton Care Home Hosting Free Community Christmas Tree Light Switch On To Start The Magic Of Christmas
The residents and Care Team at Little Bramingham Farm, the Luton-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, which is celebrating its 120th Anniversary this year, are excited to be sharing the start of their Christmastime festivities with their families, friends, neighbours and the local community by hosting a free Christmas Tree Light Switch On event and festive get-together.
“On Sunday 30th November from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., we will be holding our very first community Christmas Tree Light Switch On event,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm. “The free, late afternoon event will be a lovely way for not only the residents, but also their family, friends and our local community, to join together to welcome the Christmas Spirit around the twinkling lights of our Christmas Tree.”
“We have a very special guest coming along to do the honours and flip the switch on the lights to make sure the glow of Christmas is all around Little Bramingham Farm,” added Karen Charity, the care home’s Activities Coordinator.
“Robin Dimmock who, as a young boy, worked with his family at Little Bramingham Farm, has kindly agreed to take charge of the important festive task and make sure that every fairy light has a little bit of Christmas magic in its glow.”
However, the dazzling Christmas Tree lights will not be the only stars shining at the event. “We will also have a Yuletide performance by The Disharmony Choir who will be entertaining the residents and guests with a selection of their own compositions, plus many well-known and traditional Christmas songs and carols,” continued Emma.
“We’ll have song sheets available so everyone can join in with the singing. It will be a lovely event for everyone to take part in and start their Christmases with twinkles and cheer – and, as Buddy the Elf said, ‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear’.”
“We’ll also have a range of tasty refreshments available including hot and cold beverages, mince pies and delicious mulled wine for everyone to enjoy too,” added Karen.
“Our Christmas Tree is definitely on Santa’s Nice List and everyone at Little Bramingham Farm is looking forward to welcoming our local neighbours and members of our local community in joining us for a beautiful, festive night, full of twinkling lights and great company,” concluded Emma.
Little Bramingham Farm’s Christmas Tree Lights Switch On
Free Community Festive Event
Sunday 30th November 2025
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 01582 582 433 if you’d like any further information.
Location: Little Bramingham Farm, Leamington Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 3XF.
Chester the Horse visits Huntingdon care home wearing a magnificent coat of Remembrance Day poppies
This week, The Chase care home in Huntingdon marked Remembrance Day 2025 with a visit from a truly extraordinary guest. Chester, the celebrated horse from Bedfordshire known affectionately as “The Floppy Ear Pony”, came to the home draped in his trademark coat made from hundreds of hand-knitted and crocheted poppies created by his fans.
He was accompanied by his owner, Samantha Wenn, a former British Army soldier who, along with her mother, Eileen, created Chester's coat as a way to honour the memories of fallen veterans. In 2023, she led Chester on a Remembrance Day procession through her hometown of Sandy, Bedfordshire – and he has since become a powerful emblem of national memory and pride.
Chester made an instant impression as he trotted through The Chase’s garden to greet his hosts. There, the residents spent the afternoon stroking his mane, admiring his coat, and sharing anecdotes from their own wartime experiences. Many still have vivid memories of the war – from being evacuated as children, to having family members sent off to serve on the front.
Jessa Avila, General Manager at The Chase, reflects on the day:
"It was so wonderful welcoming Chester and Sam to the home. At this time of year, remembering all the brave souls who fought and lost their lives in the Second World War is crucial – and for many people Chester has become a symbol of that honour and pride. Many of our residents' lives were personally touched by the war – so whilst it was an enjoyable day, it was also very poignant and emotional at times as well”.
His magnificent poppy coat isn’t the only reason Chester cuts a striking figure. A remarkable brown Irish draft gelding, he measures over 7 feet in length. He is also an energetic and spirited horse who loves meeting new people. In recent years Chester and Sam have done multiple tours through the country and have raised thousands of pounds for veteran associations like the Royal British legion, and charities and hospices.
Reflecting on Chester’s unexpected rise to fame, Sam said she believes he has become a way for many thousands of fans to honour and acknowledge not only fallen veterans, but also the brave animals that served alongside them. Indeed, over the course of the Second World War, many millions of horses, donkeys, and mules died whilst transporting supplies and evacuating injured soldiers from battle.
Unfortunately, their contribution to the war effort is often overlooked – another reason why the team at The Chase wanted to bring Chester to the home for Remembrance Day 2025. Jessa Avila again:
"This Remembrance Day, we are taking the time to honour the valiant soldiers of the Second World War and the brave beasts who accompanied them into battle. The contribution of animals to Britain's victory is often overlooked, which is why it’s so wonderful to have a mighty stead like Chester out there to keep their memory alive. 'Lest we Forget', indeed."
Octopus Capital funds two new care homes as part of long-standing partnership with Synergy Care
Octopus Capital, a leading UK specialist real estate lender and investor, has completed a £30 million forward funding deal with Synergy Care Developments for the delivery of two new, purpose-built care homes in Radcliffe, Nottinghamshire and Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
The two homes will provide 152 high-quality beds and will both be operated by Acacia Care. They will be leased on 35-year, fully repairing and insuring, index-linked terms. The developments have been acquired on behalf of the Octopus Healthcare Fund (OHF), which invests in modern care homes across the UK.
Due for completion in autumn 2026 (Radcliffe) and spring 2027 (Peterborough), both homes will be brand new, all-electric buildings powered by air source heat pumps and solar panel. Each development is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings, contributing positively to OHF’s ESG performance and 2040 net zero targets.
In Peterborough, the design will restore and integrate the locally listed former pub, The Cherry Tree, into the new home. Once complete, the building will be repurposed as a resident’s lounge, preserving a piece of local heritage and enhancing the home’s community character.
This marks the fourth and fifth homes funded through the partnership between Octopus Capital and Synergy Care, building on the successful completions of Regency Manor in Hunstanton and Ashmore Grange in New Lubbesthorpe earlier this year. A further Synergy Care home in Burton-upon-Trent is under construction and due to complete in January 2026.
Max Weitzmann, Investment Director at Octopus Capital said:
“It’s great to be working again with Synergy Care, as we continue to collaborate with their experienced team to help meet the growing demand for high-quality care provision in these two areas. It’s incredibly rewarding to have found such a strong partner for current and future projects, whose values align so closely with those of Octopus Capital - to deliver more modern and sustainable homes that are fit for the future.”
Jay Patel, Managing Director at Acacia Care commented:
“We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with Octopus Capital to fund and operate these two purpose-built care facilities. At Acacia we believe that everyone has the right to live in a dignified, private and respectful environment, and the homes we have funded with the Octopus team are a prime example of that commitment.”
About Octopus Capital
Octopus Capital, part of Octopus Investments, is a B-Corp certified asset manager investing in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. Backed by our rich heritage in pioneering new investment classes, we invest with purpose into the areas we believe can have the greatest impact for institutional investors and the world around us. We support our clients' investment objectives with impact-focused strategies aligned to solving the world’s greatest challenges and centred on three vital asset classes: real estate, infrastructure and private debt.
Octopus Investments has £9.8 billion* funds under management.
*Funds Under Management data includes undrawn commitments, funds under advisory mandates and funds monitored, and is based upon the latest information available at the time of the calculation. The figure includes Octopus Investments, Octopus AIF Management and Octopus Investments Australia. As of 30th June 2025.
SOMETHING WICKEDLY WONDERFUL SWEPT INTO LITTLE BRAMINGHAM FOR A ‘FANG-TABULOUS’ HALLOWEEN FRIGHT FEST
Friends of the Elderly’s Luton Care Home Hosted A Spook-Tacular Community Halloween
This All Hallows Eve something wickedly wonderful swept into Little Bramingham Farm, the Luton-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, as the care team and residents brushed off their broomsticks, made sure their black hats were pointy and their cauldrons bubbling as they hosted a magical community Halloween Hocus Pocus community event.
Friday 31st October saw Little Bramingham Farm bewitchingly metamorphose into a ‘Spook-Tacular’ fright fest, filled with Witches, Wizards, pumpkins and chills. “We wanted to make sure that our Community Halloween Spooktacular casted a perfect spell over the care home,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm. “The spell worked, as it was a ‘Fang-Tastic’ community event, filled with fun, laughter and, of course, magic.”
Everyone who came along entered into the Halloween Spirit and ‘Let the Ghost Times Roll. “The costumes were ‘Eerie-Sistable’, said Karen Charity, Little Bramingham Farm’s Activities Coordinator. “We had ‘Boo-Tiful’ Pirates, Witches, Wizards, K-Pop Demon Hunters, a Pumpkin Baby and even Vampire, Count Bramingham, popped in ‘for a bite’. Our Haunted Haystack photo setting was a ‘Horror Success’ and lots of Ghosts and Ghouls visited our Creepy Graveyard as well.
The ‘Fang-Tabulous’ Graveyard Rave also had lots of spooky activities taking place, including Halloween arts and crafts and a mesmerising and ‘Spell-Tacular’ magic show by Krisgar (aka Chris Garside), one of Bedfordshire’s most magical and mystical Magicians.
“The Little Bramingham Farm’s Halloween ‘Beastly Halloween Community Bash was full of treats and, of course, full of tricks too. It was ‘Web-wonderful’ to see so many of our local community join the residents and care team for a night to remember, in ‘Fang’ it was a ‘Fright Night’ full of ‘Eerie-Sistible’ fun and frolics,” concluded Emma.
Boost for Armed Forces veterans living at Heath Lodge Care Home in Holt, Norfolk.
Former members of the Armed Forces in Norfolk will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support after the care home they live in achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).
The aim of the VFF is to better support the practical, emotional and social needs of the Armed Forces community, in residential care homes across England, by providing training and resources to assess and improve the care they offer. It will help tackle loneliness and has the scope to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for the 25,000 veterans living in care homes in England.
To achieve their Veteran Friendly status, Heath Lodge Care Home was required to meet eight standards. These included: noting Armed Forces status within care plans; addressing social isolation; and signposting to support services, such as their local Royal British Legion branch, and other charities that provide support for veterans or partners of veterans.
Hazel Madden, General Manager at Heath Lodge Care Home, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved Veteran Friendly status. It’s a proud moment for our home to be recognised for our commitment to our residents who have served.
We’ve already made some wonderful changes, like building links within the local community and arranging visits to the home from charities such as Bridge for Heroes. We’ve also incorporated the veteran friendly framework in our monthly resident meeting agenda and include relevant questions when assessing new residents so we can best support any veterans moving in with us.
The most rewarding part has been seeing the positive impact firsthand. Our veteran residents are forming new friendship groups, sharing stories, and there's a real, renewed sense of camaraderie. It’s about honouring their service in a way that truly enriches their lives every day.”
Rangeford Villages Celebrate Grand Opening at Strawberry Fields, Cambridgeshire
Friday 17th October marked the official opening celebration of Rangeford Villages’ Strawberry Fields, their latest award-winning age-exclusive lifestyle village, set in the attractive hamlet of Stapleford with views of the surrounding countryside. The special event saw owners, reservists, prospective buyers, the local community and representatives from Rangeford Villages come together to celebrate the milestone. Interior designer and TV personality, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, was in attendance to cut the ribbon, formally marking the opening of the village.
The event showcased everything Strawberry Fields has to offer; high specification homes, spectacular amenities, including the Revive Spa and Wild and Thyme Restaurant and Bar, and a social lifestyle in a desirable Cambridgeshire location. Tours were on offer of the beautiful show apartments and state-of-the-art facilities. Delightful refreshments were enjoyed by guests, perfectly complimented by live music from The Lollipops.
The pinnacle of the event was the ribbon cutting ceremony to signify the opening of Strawberry Fields, led by Rangeford’s Design Curator, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Howard Nankivell CEO at Rangeford Villages commented:
“Today marks a very important milestone for Strawberry Fields, this village is going to be something very special. Having the opportunity to bring owners, reservists, prospective buyers and the local community together perfectly represents how the village is going to be seamlessly integrated within the wider Stapleford community. The feedback we’ve received today following the tours of the show apartments, Revive Spa, Wild and Thyme Restaurant and other facilities has just been fantastic. It’s great that everyone had the chance to look around and see just what Strawberry Fields has to offer. Laurence being here to mark the occasion makes it even more spectacular. The lifestyle on offer at Strawberry Fields is unmatched and the village brings a much-needed option to the Cambridgeshire area. Owners can feel supported whilst maintaining their independence. The high-quality homes and impressive facilities mean residents have everything they need on their doorstep, we’re looking forward to watching this community flourish. Our first owners have already moved in and sales enquiries continue to build, we’d encourage those interested to arrange a visit to find out about the extensive range of properties, amenities and services available at this stunning contemporary community.”
Strawberry Fields comprises 147 contemporary one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and bungalows tailored for over 60s, nestled in landscaped gardens with terraces, croquet lawns, and boules courts.
The village’s design isn’t just about aesthetics; it also prioritises functionality and sustainability. The development features the latest energy-efficient features, including solar panels, air source heat pumps, and triple glazing to reduce carbon emissions. This focus on sustainability is part of Rangeford’s wider vision to create environmentally friendly, energy-efficient spaces where retirees can thrive without compromising on comfort or style. Electric vehicle charging points as well as communal transport, are also available for owner’s use.