Property experts Knight Frank have given their firm backing to the Integrated Retirement Community sector by announcing they will be the headline sponsor of this year’s ARCO Conference – the key annual event for housing-with-care.
The vote of confidence comes as the Older People’s Housing Task Force – a government initiative seen as crucial to the expansion of Integrated Retirement Communities – gears up for an imminent launch.
The ARCO Conference will take place on 5-6 July at the IET in Central London, bringing together leaders from across housing, planning, social care, law and beyond. Recent editions of the conference have featured speeches from the Housing and Care Ministers, and an exciting line-up is expected this year.
Already confirmed as keynote speaker is Professor Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy, and Director of the Policy Institute, who will talk about his latest book ‘Generations - Does when you’re born shape who you are?’, which challenges myths and stereotypes around generational trends.
Joining Knight Frank as conference sponsors will be construction experts NHBC, planners Tetlow King, law firm Trowers & Hamlins, technology provider TIS, smart fitness experts Egym, and Karndean Designflooring.
Key topics on a packed agenda include:
- The shifting policy landscape: including the latest on the Older People’s Housing Task Force and government changes to the national planning framework
- Care with a small ‘c’: how to transform older people’s lives through high quality support services
- The generation game: how are attitudes to ageing changing, between and within generations?
- The business environment: what are the main challenges and opportunities for the sector in 2023?
- Lessons from abroad: what can we learn from countries like New Zealand and Australia?
- Ageing with tech: the role of technology in boosting health and independence
It is expected that the Government’s Older People’s Housing Task Force will have been launched by the time the conference takes place.
ARCO have campaigned for the Task Force’s launch for three years, in order to bring together policy on housing and social care, and remove the barriers to the Integrated Retirement Community sector growing.
Currently, just 0.6% of over-65s have the opportunity to live in this kind of setting, despite the huge health and wellbeing benefits provided. A major review by leading statistician Professor Les Mayhew last year found that 50,000 new homes for older people are needed each year to meet the needs of the ageing population.
Michael Voges, Chief Executive of ARCO, said:
“At a really exciting time for the Integrated Retirement Community sector, it’s great to have the support of such renowned property experts Knight Frank for our major conference in July.
“With the Older People’s Housing Task Force about to get underway, it’s crucial we make the most of this opportunity to reflect on the future of our sector and bring together a wide range of experts.
“I’d like to thank our excellent sponsors for their support and look forward to welcoming a big audience to our conference in July.”
Tom Scaife, Head of Seniors Housing at Knight Frank, said:
“Our country is ageing, and it is obvious we need a greater range of housing choices for older people. The focus needs to be on how we rapidly achieve this – increased political support, delivering on the needs of residents, and communicating the investment case will all be critical to reaching goal. Without fixing the crisis in provision of seniors housing, we continue to block the end of the housing ladder. This will ultimately exacerbate the current NHS, social care and housing crises – not to mention letting down a generation of seniors.
“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for this year’s ARCO conference, which will shape the direction of the Integrated Retirement Community sector for the next 12 months and beyond.”
ENDS
You can find the latest details on the ARCO Conference here.
For further information please contact: James Lloyd, Director of Policy and Communications, at jameslloyd@arcouk.org or on 075 3508 8498
- Notes for Editors-
What are Integrated Retirement Communities?
Integrated Retirement Communities, otherwise known as housing-with-care, offer older people the opportunity to live independently in their own home as part of a wider community. Lifestyle, wellbeing and care services are available to support people’s independence and aspirations. Integrated Retirement Communities are run by a range of not-for-profit and private operators, with two-thirds of the sector being affordable or social rent.
How are these communities integrated?
Apartment homes are available for purchase, part purchase or rent, alongside a range of choices:
- Integrated Lifestyle: Facilities like restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, community halls and gardens offer optional activities and social opportunities
- Integrated Well-being and Care: Personal and domestic care can be delivered within people’s homes if they wish. Dedicated staff teams are on site 24/7
- Integrated with Wider Communities: Connections with wider communities through family, friends, intergenerational, volunteering or leisure opportunities are valued and cherished
Associated Retirement Communities Operator (ARCO) is the main body supporting Integrated Retirement Communities across the UK, setting standards for the sector, and representing the interests of consumers and providers at national level.
