Residential apartments and a community hub for older people has come to Malmesbury.

Burnham Court is a 49 flat development providing housing for older people, enabling them to live independently as singles or couples with extra care available, the development is more than a residential housing scheme. The charity’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for older people.

The opening ceremony of The Abbeyfield Society’s apartments at Burnham Court, took place on September 26, with the Mayor of Malmesbury in attendance.

All residents can enjoy access to a wide range of facilities and on-site amenities, including a large lounge, restaurant, hair salon, nail bar and landscaped gardens.

A wide range of facilities are available to the public, meaning that the building has become a community hub where residents can mix with others in their community.

David McCullough, CEO of The Abbeyfield Society said: “I am really pleased to welcome the local community, including the Mayor, to Burnham Court, and to see so many residents and their families turn out to mark the occasion."

He said: “It is a fantastic building, and the excellent facilities and wonderful staff and volunteer team has already proved capable of meeting the needs of all our residents.”

An activities room provides the community a location for a monthly residents’ memory café run by The Alzheimer’s Society, and a weekly bridge club attended by residents and other local players.

The Abbeyfield Society was founded by Richard Carr-Gomm, OBE. A revolutionary social campaigner, he set up his first communal housing project in Bermondsey, East London, in 1956 as a way of helping to alleviate loneliness.

Abbeyfield was established in 1956, is a charity providing housing, residential care and support to older people. There values are caring, openness, honesty and respect.

Mr McCullough said: “I’m extremely proud of the genuine neighbourly atmosphere that exists here, where many of our residents have become friends and support one another."

"We look forward to building stronger partnerships in the coming weeks and months, so that we may also benefit many others in the local community.”

The organisation has over 500 homes and houses in the UK and overseas, in which staff and 4,000 volunteers support 8,000 older people living in a family-like atmosphere.

More integration and collaboration with other local individuals and groups is planned for the hub.