"People talk about growing old with dignity or with grace. Thats all about staying healthy and active in mind and body, keeping connected to friends and family and being part of a vibrant community"
Anita Herdeiro
A multi-million pound development to provide luxury retirement homes in a pioneering project launches in Cumbria this week.
Civic leaders, politicians and business people will be among the guests visiting Scalesceugh Hall at Carleton near Carlisle on Friday (July 14) to see work in progress on 13 properties, and the stately home and gardens which buyers will be able to use.
The homes are being built in the grounds of the restored Edwardian mansion in a visionary new experiment for retirement living.
The scheme is culmination of years of research by Dr Anita Herdeiro, an expert in healthcare provision for older people, and her husband Bruno. They are developing luxury retirement villas for people who intend to live in style and comfort, with on-site assistance if needed.
And in a pioneering move, grandchildren will be positively encouraged to visit, with a children’s playground being built in the gardens, and the houses having two and three bedrooms so family and friends can visit. Home owners will have access to fitness facilities in the hall, as well as acres of grounds for walking and fishing.
The launch event will be addressed by leading mountaineer Alan Hinkes, a passionate exponent of keeping fit and active in later life.
“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,” said Anita.
The £3.6m privately financed scheme is modelled on projects operating in Scandinavian countries and Australia but is new to the UK. The houses, in acres of gardens and parkland, are a mix of semi-detached and terraced “cottages” with two bedrooms, and some with a study. All are built to the highest eco-friendly specifications, with an emphasis on sustainability, natural daylight and modern convenience.
“We chose Cumbria because the quality of life here is outstanding,” said Anita. “We have been thrilled buy our warm welcome from the local community.”
A public open day on Saturday July 15 is now fully subscribed but further events are being held on July 29 and August 12. Further details: https://www.scalesceughvillas.co.uk/
