A NEW community in Romsey hosted its official opening ceremony recently.

Nightingale Lodge, named after Victorian icon and former Romsey resident Florence Nightingale, opened on November 16.

It has been delivered by Places for People Living Plus in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, with development partner Lovell Later Living. 

Hampshire Chronicle:

At the launch, the partners welcomed guests including Cllr Liz Fairhurst from Hampshire County Council and Cllr Tracy Tasker from Test Valley Borough Council. 

They joined customers to watch the cutting of the ribbon by Philip Belgeonne who was the first customer to move into Nightingale Lodge with his beloved partner, Francoise, who recently died. 

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Andy Lomas, managing director at Places for People, said: “We were thrilled to hold our official opening ceremony. Everyone enjoyed celebrating together and it was a joy to share the day with our customers at Nightingale Lodge. Our significant investment into creating new extra care communities offer customers and their families complete reassurance and peace of mind that they are living in a safe, self-contained yet engaging environment.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Cllr Fairhurst said: “Nightingale Lodge forms an important part of the County Council’s £45m investment in Extra Care accommodation across Hampshire. It is thanks to the success of the close partnership with Places for People Living Plus and others that we are able to deliver accommodation that meets the changing care needs of our county’s older residents. We are pleased to be continuing to invest in similar communities in other areas to support local people to maintain as much independence as possible in later life.”

Paula Broadbent, managing director at Lovell Later Living, said: “I am excited for us to have completed another vital extra care community in partnership with Places for People Living Plus. 

Hampshire Chronicle:

“The official opening of Nightingale Lodge marks significant progress - responding once again to the need for homes with care solutions. It has been a real pleasure for the Lovell Later Living team to see customers move in and settled into their new homes.

"The opening event provided us with the opportunity to see how this development supports local older people and is providing a thriving new community, all whilst providing long-term jobs for local people."