In the News
The UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirmative retirement community
2nd March 2023
In February, The Guardian ran a feature on the UKs first LGBTQ+ affirmative retirement community, run by and for the community. Many members of the community contributed to the article, speaking of their need to feel safe and welcome, in an environment where they would not experience discrimination or bullying.
The Campaign to End Loneliness reports:
- The number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6.
- This compares to around 1.4 million in 2016/7 – a 49% increase in 10 years.
Research by Stonewall suggests that older LGBTQ+ people are even more likely to experience loneliness and they are more likely to be single, live alone and have mental health issues than their straight counterparts. These are all factors which contribute to loneliness.
"Retirement saw my world change – it was isolating... Then a friend told me about Tonic. I came to an open day, saw the facilities and the flat, and I knew I wanted to move in and stay here for the rest of my life.”
Liz Blamire
Liz is the current tutor2u subject lead for Health and Social Care. She is a former NHS midwife, who has worked in community, birth centre and acute hospital settings. Liz is an SSAT Accredited Lead Practitioner, who has taught Health and Social Care in FE and secondary schools, where she was a successful HOD. Liz is an experienced senior examiner and author.
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