In 2016, the landscaped courtyard gardens at Battersea Place – London’s first luxury retirement community – were transformed into a beautiful scene from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream to celebrate the launch of the capital’s most pioneering retirement community. The prestigious launch event was presided over by Baroness Greengross who was Director General of Age Concern England for many years. Now, five years later, Battersea Place, is celebrating its fifth anniversary in a similarly spectacular style, characteristic of the trailblazing, award-winning retirement community which boasts the sort of services and facilities one would expect to find in a five-star hotel. These amenities include a chef-led restaurant and bar, health and beauty treatment suite, indoor pool and spa, cinema, library, front of house concierge, and a fleet of pool cars available exclusively for residents.

This year, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Battersea Place, staff, residents and their friends and families were treated to a sumptuous party that transported guests back to a bygone seaside era. There were seaside treats of fish and chips on offer as well as doughnuts and candy floss – all accompanied by generous quantities of fine wines, Pimm’s and a seasonal fruit punch. To further enhance the nostalgic seaside ambience, guests were serenaded by a 1950’s style singer who crooned out the hits of yesteryear, including a few of Sinatra’s most loved songs. A hula-hoop artist provided great entertainment and the staff were dressed in an eye-catching range of Victorian swimwear which added some further fun to the nostalgic atmosphere.

There is much to celebrate as Battersea Place marks its fifth-year milestone since it opened its doors in 2016 and has since been home to many a London-loving retiree. Battersea Place is operated by award-winning and internationally renowned retirement community operator, LifeCare Residences, who provide vibrant places to live offering a full-spectrum of five-star amenities and services. Battersea Place was the first to provide a new generation of retirement facilities to London, designed to bridge the gap between independent and assisted living which sensitively integrates a high-end London residence with a discreet, state-of- the-art care capability should a resident’s needs change. Situated next door to London’s beautiful Battersea Park, Battersea Place comprises an exclusive collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses and is also ideally placed for easy access to many of London’s attractions. Resident, Kathleen Rawes, who moved into a spacious one-bedroom apartment echoes the sentiment that Battersea Park raised the bar for retirement communities in London, “In search of my new home, I started researching retirement villages and weighing up the options. When I discovered Battersea Place, I couldn’t believe my luck. As well as its central London location, I was drawn to the admirable facilities on offer – especially the on-site restaurant, library and swimming pool. ” Despite being situated in the heart of London, residents at Battersea Place are able to simply step over the road to enjoy the beauty and 200 acres of wide-open space of Battersea Park for a brisk walk or a gentle stroll in the lovely gardens or a spot of tennis, boules, bowls or croquet.

The anniversary party, celebrating five years of Battersea Place, serves to highlight how important socialisation and community are to daily life at Battersea Place and it has been well documented that being part of a community can have a positive effect on mental health and emotional well-being. Socialising after retirement can prove a challenge for some, with social circles becoming smaller, and as a result some may find themselves spending more time alone or relying on family for company. Positive social interactions on a consistent basis keep one’s brain stimulated, mentally sharp and intellectually engaged which in turn can help prevent general cognitive decline. Moreover, staying socially active and feeling part of a community empowers self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. Community involvement provides a sense of belonging and social connectedness. It can also offer extra meaning, purpose and enjoyment to everyday life. Feeling a part of a community and making new connections through hobbies or a social group are key factors that can help and enrich one’s retirement years. Day-to-day living is made as easy and as maintenance free as possible in a community like Battersea Place, as well as providing peace of mind that future healthcare needs will be met when necessary. Communities can exist or be created from a shared location, hobbies, lived experiences and backgrounds – and Battersea Place provides just that; a sense of community. This strong sense of community is further exemplified at Battersea Place as the team provides ample opportunity for residents to meet like-minded people – such as the recent anniversary party. The team are dedicated to helping facilitate a wide array of clubs, activities and classes to get involved in, such as the popular Theatre and Opera Supper Clubs, a Book Club and a Gentleman’s Discussion Club. In addition the team lay on Musical Dinners, Murder Mystery Nights and there are live screenings from the Royal Opera House as well as Residents’ talks and lectures from visiting film and art historians. It doesn’t end there – residents at Battersea Place can join a Bridge Club as well as turning their hand to scrabble, or even an art class.

The team at Battersea Place know that retirement is a time to enjoy yourself and what better way to have some fun, than at a party or two. At Battersea Place in London, in addition to the Midsummer Night’s Dream launch party, and the seaside themed fifth anniversary party, the team have organised a series of other themed garden parties such as an Alice in Wonderland event as well as offsite events at the stunning Chelsea Physic Garden and Leighton House.

Battersea Place set the gold standard in 2016 by providing residents with the following amenities: housekeeping, laundry, room service, maintenance support, and a courtesy shuttle and chauffeur service allowing retirees to relish a more active old age with fewer chores. It is also important to remember that the community is a vibrant place to live, offering a full-spectrum of five-star amenities and services, that not only make day-to-day living smoother, but they also help to free up time, allowing retirees the luxury of time to appreciate the pastimes and hobbies they’ve longed to enjoy. A resident of Battersea Place, Virginia Darbyshire agrees, “I had lived in my last house for about 40 years, and quite simply, it had become too big … I knew I wanted a property that required less maintenance, which would enable me to invest in more time in my interests.” Her daughter Gaby adds, “The transition has been incredibly smooth and it’s reassuring to know that there is help and support on hand should Mum need it. When we first visited Battersea Place, we were impressed with the standard and facilities on offer and in many ways Mum now has a better quality of life than I do. It feels a little like a luxury hotel with its pool and restaurant and cinema, and mum’s apartment is certainly bigger than mine in New York.”

If you would like to learn more about our offering and how we can enhance the ‘every day’ please call T. 0800 009 6950.
For those who are unable to visit in person, we are also able to offer virtual tours of our communities at your convenience.
www.lifecareresidences.co.uk