Bournville Gardens

Bournville Gardens is a unique ExtraCare scheme in Birmingham.

Perceptions of senior housing are too often characterised by soulless corridors of bleak apartments, limited communal space and poor amenities. At Bournville Gardens we were determined to change that.

We spoke to the inhabitants about home, community… and pickleball.

Bournville Gardens

A catch up with Norma Broadbridge

“It takes me about an hour to buy a loaf of bread. Five minutes to buy the loaf of bread and the rest of the hour to talk to people.”

Bournville Gardens

A catch up with Jane Wynne Willson

“The computer is absolutely life-saving, it’s kept me going. And nobody ever notices but I knit during Zoom meetings!”

Bournville Gardens

A catch up with Keith Shaw

“You’d think you were abroad sitting in a hotel looking out the windows. Apart from the fact we haven’t got the sea.”

Bournville Gardens

Helen Scanlon

“It’s just a beautiful environment.”

Bournville Gardens

Keith Shaw

“If I didn’t have this greenhouse, I’d spend more time on my computer.”

Bournville Gardens

Jane Wynne Willson

“Friends who come to see me are always a bit amazed at how spacious it is.”

Bournville Gardens

David Loveday

“We carried on doing all the things we did before we moved here, but in addition, we’ve got these beautiful facilities.”

Bournville Gardens

Alan Henry Smith

“It might be vertical, but it’s still a village.”

Bournville Gardens

Norma Broadbridge

“When I walk in, I’m definitely coming home and always pleased to be back.”