Guiding Principles

Today, the organisations that are members of Abbeyfield come from many countries and backgrounds. We belong to many different faith communities or none. We are united in our belief that loneliness and social isolation afflict people of all ages universally, in all cultures and societies. It is experienced particularly by people in later life. Combatting loneliness and social isolation has inspired and united Abbeyfield for over 60 years.

Valuing older people remains at the heart of our vision. Wherever Abbeyfield works we identify as a charitable, non-profit organisation that seeks to enhance the life ecprience of allour individuals, especially those in our care.

Every individual is unique. Every community is unique. What unites us within Abbeyfield is our determination to combat loneliness in all its forms, in order that all our people can truly flourish together in ways that reflect both their uniqueness and our shared humanity.

Our aims

To strengthen the engagement of each of our homes with its wider local community, thereby increasing our social impact.

To grow the number of people in our communities by building, by enlarging and improving, and by working closely with similar organisations that share our values

To have a positive and creative influence on the older people sector, its oversight and regulation.

To ensure that we have financial resilience and are able to invest for the future.

How we operate

We meet the high standards people deserve and expect, be they residents, staff or volunteers;

We develop distinctive and viable models which reflect the needs of the local community;

We constantly seek to address our organisational challenges in ways that benefit the whole of Abbeyfield around the world;

We are always open to learn from each other, encourage and support each other;

Our people, together and as individuals, remain at the heart of what we do.