Polly’s Field Retirement Village Boosted by New Gym

A retirement village in Bocking in Essex, comprising 99 apartments for the over 55s, is close to completion. It includes a brand-new gymnasium for residents, with the equipment funded by energy partner Northern Gas and Power.

The UK’s largest energy consultancy, Northern Gas and Power, has worked with the charity Abbeyfield Braintree, Bocking and Felsted Society for six years. Northern Gas and Power helps Abbeyfield secure the best energy deal and monitors usage to save costs, consumption and carbon.

Independent Living in Braintree, Essex

Grand Opening

On course for its grand opening in early 2022, Polly’s Field Village enhances the quality of life for older people. It provides high quality accommodation in a stimulating environment to maintain a socially active life.

As part of its giving-back agenda, Northern Gas and Power has supported Polly’s Field Village by donating £23,000 for all the gym equipment housed in the brand-new residents’ gym.

Northern Gas and Power’s ethos is to focus on wellbeing. To underline this, it has developed a £2m purpose-built flagship HQ for its people, with wellbeing at its heart. It has also brought on board a Health and Wellbeing Lead to provide support to staff throughout the global operation. It also helps customers with their wellbeing agenda and was delighted to support Abbeyfield Braintree Bocking and Felsted Society.

Wellbeing Agenda

David Bootle, Northern Gas and Power’s Head of Corporate Marketing, said: “To be able to support our customers to help them support their own clients is something we pride ourselves on. The gym will be an outstanding new facility within the Village, giving the residents a great place to meet, socialise and keep fit.

We are delighted to be in the position to help Abbeyfield Braintree Bocking and Felsted Society. We will be keeping in touch to see the benefits gained by the people when the village opens.”

Michele Quaife MBE, Operations Manager for Abbeyfield Braintree Bocking and Felsted Society, said: “We are so delighted with the progress of this project and also the quality of the product. To get the support we have from NGP is tremendous. It will create a great facility that our residents will love. NGP’s focus on wellbeing is not a label. It is something really built into their business DNA.”

Also, at the recent topping-out ceremony for the new village were Ian Norgett, Chairman of Abbeyfield Braintree Bocking and Felsted Society; Simon Trice, Managing Director of construction partner, Hill; and James Cleverly, MP for Braintree.

James Cleverly, MP for Braintree

James Cleverly, MP for Braintree, spoke at the event. “Because of what we’ve learned last year, building a community with friends, neighbours and a support structure is incredibly important.”

The village has been designed especially so residents can be as active or as relaxed as they please. They can share a host of stimulating social activities with like-minded friends, with access to care and support should they need it.