London Opens First LGBTQ+ Retirement Community Providing Safe Living Spaces for People 55+

Tonic Housing recently opened the doors to its first LGBTQ+ Retirement Community in London, to provide safe community-led living spaces for LGBTQ+ people aged 55+. Tonic@Bankhouse does not exclude those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, but it’s a community that actively values those who respect and celebrate LGBTQ+ people.

Thanks to securing a £5.7m loan in Spring 2021 from the Mayor of London’s Community Housing Fund to purchase 19 shared ownership flats at Bankhouse, and support from a consortium of funders, including Comic Relief to recruit staff, Tonic@BankHouse in London’s Vauxhall forms first opened its doors in 2021. It was designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster and consists of high-quality one and two-bedroom homes, and many with balconies with stunning views of the city.

Image credit: Dan Loveday/ Comic Relief

This is a major milestone for the community, as there has been no LGBTQ+ affirming provision with care in the UK before, despite there being a clearly defined need and demand from within the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, the UK has over 600,000 LGBTQ+ people aged 50+, and London has the largest older LGBTQ+ population in the UK, estimated to be 125,000 people, according to the 2021 Census.

However, in later life, many people from the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to be single, living alone and have lower levels of contact with relatives. Apart from being vulnerable to loneliness, many also live in fear of harassment, violence and discrimination. It’s also the main reason that 79% of LGBTQ+ Londoners want either LGBTQ+ specific or accredited provision, according to the Building Safer Choices report, carried out by Tonic Housing in partnership with Stonewall Housing and Opening Doors.

In fact, only 1% would consider a general retirement community. They want housing, care and support services that are safe, and which recognise their lives, histories and treat them where they can age with dignity and respect. Tonic@Bankhouse provides just that and is now home to the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirming retirement community.

Having moved from NZ to the UK (with two years in India) about a decade ago, Raga D’silva and her partner Nicola had dreams of moving to a pretty cottage in the country to work remotely from, and ideally retire in. “But that changed two years ago, when my partner of 16 years had a stroke, which left her with 70% of sight loss. So I started to look into LGBTQ+-affirming homes for us, and came across Tonic Housing.”

“Initially, we were sceptical, as we didn’t want to end up in a retirement community that would age us quicker. However, Tonic Housing, provided the promise of a safe LGBTQ+ space and community, where we could grow old together.”

Raga D'silva (right), with her partner Nicola. Image credit: Dan Loveday/ Comic Relief

The central London location was ideal. “Being in the heart of London, it’s close to all the amenities with the hospital just a stone’s throw away, the nearest tube station within a five-minute walk and South Bank’s entertainment just a few minutes away.”

Raga and Nicola moved into Tonic@Bankhouse at the beginning of the year, and they are grateful to Tonic for providing a place where they can “just be.” Raga says she particularly looks forward to the community socials, especially Thursday bar nights because it’s full of laughter, with neighbours “who know how to enjoy life,” especially the more senior members of the community. “By moving into Tonic @Bankhouse, we have future-proofed our retirement and are assured that we will be well looked after later in life, instead of having to worry about it when actually get to retirement age, so it’s worked out really well.”

Image credit: Dan Loveday/ Comic Relief

Work-life coach David Liversage, Tonic Housing’s newest community member agrees: “Tonic Housing provides the LGBTQ+ community a new way of safe living. It feels safe and you can be who you are without fear of being attacked, or not accepted. I’m 55 and suddenly became single four years ago. Having sold my flat shortly after, the theme of isolation was a constant, especially since the pandemic.”

While renting, he found that certain areas around London weren’t very LGBTQ+-friendly and he experienced isolation. “I realised I just wanted to be amongst my own tribe and people that I can connect with, especially now that I approach the second phase of my life.”

David believes Tonic@Bankhouse provides just that. “I love the vibrancy of the community. There are lots of social activities, from art to walking tours or theatre trips. The apartment block not only ensures enough space for later living, such as corridors that are wide enough to cater for wheelchair users, but it also has a huge focus on large social spaces, such as an on-site restaurant, cafe/bar areas, beautiful community lounge overlooking the river Thames, a floating garden, and a roof terrace with incredible views of central London. What excites me is that it’s the start of another journey for me in the next chapter of my life. I’m delighted to be involved in something innovative which is about building community living.”

Originally, he was thinking of buying a house with a group of LGBTQ+ friends together to retire in and share nursing/care costs as they got older: “Thankfully, I won’t have to do that now, as I’ll be well looked after by the community and support services offered by Tonic Housing.”

David Liversage (right) is the newest member at Tonic@Bankhouse. Image credit: Dan Loveday/ Comic Relief

"Our priority has been ensuring the UK's first LGBT+ affirming retirement community Tonic@Bankhouse thrives, and most importantly we continue to learn from our residents and prospective residents,” said Tonic Housing’s CEO, Anna Kear.

This is just the beginning, and the first of many safe retirement spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community, as demand is rising fast. For example, Manchester city council are currently working with the LGBT Foundation on proposals for a LGBTQ+ majority retirement community in Whalley Range. Other proposals across the country are in the pipeline.

“We are now developing our strategy for future growth in urban locations across the UK which reflect the demand from older LGBT+ people. We are open to hearing from and collaborating with potential partners to develop our ambitions,” concluded Kear.

If you would like to support Tonic Housing’s mission, please donate here.

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