What is Abbeyfield?
Abbeyfield is a non-profit housing option for seniors. Abbeyfield offers seniors the opportunity to have the privacy of their own living area and the support of a house coordinator who manages the building and cooks meals.
Abbeyfield offers a warm, family-style House and a balance between privacy and companionship, security and independence, combined with the special caring element provided by dedicated volunteers and the consistency of a single House manager. Age and loneliness are the prime considerations for residency, together with level of health and compatibility with other residents. Each House creates a sense of "belonging" that is truly preventative medicine. With a history of nearly five decades, our statistics show that most Abbeyfield residents take on a new lease on life. They are more fit and more inclined to enjoy active lives without needing extended care. Abbeyfield Canada's registered Charity. Our registration number is: 132041013RR0001 |
Abbeyfield's Purpose is: To assist Member Abbeyfield Societies to provide seniors, in their local communities, with a home of their own in a small household according to the Abbeyfield Pattern. The Abbeyfield Pattern is: To involve local Abbeyfield volunteers in setting up and managing each house, where the residents will pay their share of the running costs. Every household will have its own housekeeper to look after the house, to provide meals and to care generally for the residents. The residents will have their own rooms, furnished as they wish, where both their privacy and their right to invite visitors are assured. Abbeyfield's Guiding Principles: We believe that: Firstly, that many elderly people everywhere suffer from loneliness and insecurity and so need care, companionship and practical support in their daily lives. Secondly, that the elderly still have an important role to play in the lives of their families, friends and communities. Thirdly, that within each community, individuals can actively help the elderly to have a secure and happy life by offering them a home of their own within the companionship of a small household. |
History
In 1956 Major Richard Carr-Gomm resigned his commission with the British Army and bought a property at 50 Eugenia Road, SouthLondon, for £250. It was run down, had six rooms, no bathroom, outdoor lavatory and two cold taps. It was to provide housing for four people - the only qualification being loneliness. He was the first housekeeper and was dubbed by the press "The Scrubbing Major" (no Swiffer then).
In 1956 Major Richard Carr-Gomm resigned his commission with the British Army and bought a property at 50 Eugenia Road, SouthLondon, for £250. It was run down, had six rooms, no bathroom, outdoor lavatory and two cold taps. It was to provide housing for four people - the only qualification being loneliness. He was the first housekeeper and was dubbed by the press "The Scrubbing Major" (no Swiffer then).
How is Abbeyfield active around the World?
Today this prototype has provided a vision and the impetus for hundreds of Abbeyfield Houses operating all around the world. Abbeyfield Canada is a member of Abbeyfield International.
Worldwide there are over 800 Houses serving the needs of over 9,000 residents. A presence in 17 countries including Japan and Mexico. In Canada today there are 40 Societies, 28 Houses and ten more planned or under construction.
The Abbeyfield World-Wide Family Tree
Abbeyfield aims to balance the benefits of autonomy with those of belonging to a world wide organisation.
Currently there are two umbrella organisations, The Abbeyfield Society, which is the parent organisation in the UK, and Abbeyfield International, which brings together members from Abbeyfields throughout the world.
In each country where Abbeyfield is established, there is then a national organisation, in Canada, the National Office is located in Toronto. It is administered by a volunteer board of directors representative of all areas of Canada.
In the next branch of the Abbeyfield tree are the local Societies that run individual houses under the guidance of the National organisation, but with autonomy in matters of the day to day running of the house, so long as they adhere to the Guiding Principles.
Worldwide there are over 800 Houses serving the needs of over 9,000 residents. A presence in 17 countries including Japan and Mexico. In Canada today there are 40 Societies, 28 Houses and ten more planned or under construction.
The Abbeyfield World-Wide Family Tree
Abbeyfield aims to balance the benefits of autonomy with those of belonging to a world wide organisation.
Currently there are two umbrella organisations, The Abbeyfield Society, which is the parent organisation in the UK, and Abbeyfield International, which brings together members from Abbeyfields throughout the world.
In each country where Abbeyfield is established, there is then a national organisation, in Canada, the National Office is located in Toronto. It is administered by a volunteer board of directors representative of all areas of Canada.
In the next branch of the Abbeyfield tree are the local Societies that run individual houses under the guidance of the National organisation, but with autonomy in matters of the day to day running of the house, so long as they adhere to the Guiding Principles.
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