Abbeyfield is a charity providing housing with care for older people. The following description is taken from a leaflet published by the Abbeyfield Society, which can be contacted for further information at:

Abbeyfield House
53 Victoria Street
St Albans
Herts AL1 3UW      (Tel: 01727 857536)   ....or by visiting their website.

Abbeyfield houses are established and managed by local voluntary committees. The society says that some 10,000 volunteers give their time on behalf of residents, ensuring that they feel at home and supported - and that the house is well managed. Paid staff provide meals and support to residents and organise the daily running of the house. A list of local Abbeyfield societies, giving the location of their houses can be found below.

Abbeyfield provides very sheltered housing in the main. The houses are either purpose-built or adapted from existing buildings with added facilities to make them suitable. A typical house offers:

* A resident housekeeper or house manager
* Private rooms for residents, usually with an en-suite toilet, shower or bath
* A call alarm system
* Specialist facilities such as assisted baths and lifts
* A shared dining room, and often a shared sitting room and garden
* Two cooked meals a day
* Facilities for residents to make light refreshments
* A network of support from local volunteers

Residents who need help with ttheir cleaning laundry or personal care can usually arrange this. Abbeyfield very sheltered houses normally accommodate betwen 8 and 12 people. Residents can furnish their own rooms with favourite pieces and treasured possessions.

In East Lothian there are very sheltered houses at:

* Station Road, Dunbar, 01368 863356
* Paterson Place, Haddington  01620 826253
* School Road, East Linton 01620 860675