Red Lodge - where past and future meet (From York Press)

Red Lodge - where past and future meet

11:00am Monday 13th February 2012 in Features Exclusive By Matt Clark

A century ago, Joseph Rowntree built a model village to change the way we live. Today, that vision continues as his foundation commits millions to improve people’s lives. As MATT CLARK discovers, much of it will be spent in York.

JOSEPH Rowntree, in his 1904 memorandum marked, ‘Exceedingly Private’, wrote “If the enormous volume of the philanthropy of the present day were wisely directed it would, I believe, in the course of a few years change the face of England.”

But Mr Rowntree did not only highlight problems, he did something about them. While changing the face of England may have been too much for one man, he did change the face of York by building a revolutionary model village.

New Earswick was in sharp contrast to the slums in York and other cities.

Rowntree aimed to tackle the root causes of social problems, rather than treating their symptoms. Like its founder, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) also puts its money where its mouth is, so the great man would no doubt approve of plans to invest almost £20 million at Red Lodge in the centre of New Earswick.

The care home was built in the 1970s, and is full of corridors and small rooms. That may have been fine 40 years ago, but today people demand more personal space. So next year, work will begin to turn the property into homes fit for 21st century needs.

But true to Mr Rowntree’s ethos that managers should live on the same street as factory workers, there will be a mix of people with rooms to rent, flats to buy and houses to share.

The plans form part of a scheme for JRF and JRHT to invest £125 million in projects that will £23 million at Derwenthorpe, which is based on New Earswick, and designed to lead the way in developing neighbourhoods as communities.

John Kennedy, director of care services at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), says he hopes Red Lodge will provide something so good that people will demand it.

“I think it’s our responsibility to make sure we provide housing that meets the needs of the population and changes in accordance with their needs.”

Mr Kennedy says, Joseph Rowntree’s vision continues to drive everything the Foundation does.

“The fundamental ethos hasn’t changed and we’re helped by having a very clear memorandum from Joseph. But he also tells us ‘the world will look different in ways I can’t imagine and you must adapt’.”

The issues of environmental sustainability might not have been around in the Foundation’s early days but the principle of good quality, affordable housing remains as important as ever.

Joseph Rowntree didn’t want to establish communities bearing the stamp of charity but ones that were rightly ordered and self-governing. Good quality housing, on its own, is not enough: a different approach is required.

And Red Lodge will be a prime example.

“The aging society is one of the biggest challenges we face,” says Mr Kennedy. “It isn’t a problem it’s just a different challenge. It’s great we’re living longer but it does change all sorts of things. We need to recognise this and develop the right housing.”

The idea for Red Lodge is to develop it to such a high standard that people will queue up to live there.

And that would have an important knock on effect, believes the home’s youngest resident, Sandra Carress.

“I think redeveloping Red Lodge will be a good thing,” she says. “It must be awful having to live in a big house if you are in poor health. Moving here will make life much easier and will also free up houses for those in desperate need of one.”

The sustainable eco-development at Elm Tree Mews, opposite the Folk Hall, will provide inspiration for the redevelopment. Indeed, findings from the field trial are being implemented at Derwenthorpe.

As with all JRF projects, Red Lodge will be based on research and opinions. Residents and families are invited to submit their ideas, with trips planned to view similar developments.

“It’s incumbent on us, from the work the foundation does, to look at the research evidence and see how that impacts on what we provide,” says Mr Kennedy. “The space at Red Lodge can be used more efficiently and with the right environment, residents will have more independence.”

This is important today because older people have grown up in a consumer society, with more choices and home owning commonplace. People are not willing to give up their way of life and that, says Mr Kennedy, is something we should celebrate.

Today, JRF is publishing a new poem by Sir Andrew Motion, to challenge society to think differently about growing old. It was commissioned as part of the Foundation’s research programme A Better Life, “This programme will challenge us all to think very differently about growing old,” says Mr Kennedy. “The sooner we start listening to those with the experience, the sooner we can all start planning for a better life in old age.”

It will also focus on combating loneliness and one of the great taboos; dementia. As part of its strategic plan, JRF has pledged to develop York as an inspiring example of a “dementia-friendly city” where people with dementia play a central role in forming plans.

Red Lodge will be an important part of the programme.

“We are talking to people around York and asking what would make life better for those who have this condition. They tell us one of the big hindrances is stigma and feeling inhibited from going out because they may behave in a slightly different way.”

So the foundation is looking for ways to make us better prepared in how to deal with dementia and develop a better attitude. One that should help to break down many of the current barriers.

“By Autumn, we hope to set out what York could do to become a dementia-friendly city,” says Mr Kennedy. “Lots of people are doing things and it may be a case of joining up the agencies.

“But it’s crucial we talk about it, otherwise the problem will become hidden away.”

JRF’s strap line is “search, demonstrate and influence”. When it raises issues, the foundation can call on evidence based on its own research. This is a pressure group leading by example, a rare instance of provider and think tank.

“That can be a very powerful influencing tool on policy, society and attitudes.” “We’re not political, but we’re not neutral either.”

And by working in partnership, JRF is able to influence other developers as well as learning from them. This is research based on asking the right questions of the right people, thereby addressing root causes, rather than symptoms.

As Joseph Rowntree said, he didn’t want to fund the soup kitchen; he wanted to know why it existed.

• The Better Life programme is part of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s focus on an ageing society. A new website has been launched at betterlife.jrf.org.uk/.

Fact file

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust was established in 1968 to take over housing operations of the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Trust (now known as The Joseph Rowntree Foundation - JRF).

JRF was one of the three trusts created in 1904 and was originally established to administer the model village at New Earswick.

In 1959 the objectives of the original trust were widened to include research and development.

JRHT owns the freehold of the majority of the properties in New Earswick, including homes for rent and shared ownership, shops, communal facilities and the schools.

The trust acts as landlord for rented properties, supporting the community and educational activities in the village.

JRHT also carries out housing and care schemes in York and elsewhere in Yorkshire. These are of an innovative nature, demonstrating new forms of tenure, meeting special needs, creating strong self governing communities and exploring new features of design.

The special link with JRF enables research to inform practice and practice to inform research.