In North London, a former convent has been lovingly converted into Britain’s first all-women cohousing residence, providing a vibrant, autonomous home for 25 women aged from their fifties to eighties.
- 25 women live in an all-female cohousing community in London.
- Shared spaces and private apartments blend autonomy with togetherness.
- Community governance emphasizes consensus and inclusivity.
What happened
A group of 26 women, motivated by a desire to live together and support each other as they age, established New Ground in High Barnet, North London. They converted an old convent school into a three-story building housing 25 private apartments, each with its own kitchen and bathroom, linked to a shared common house for communal activities and meals. This innovative project, which took over a decade of planning and collaboration with housing charities, created a pioneering female-only residential community.
The women come from diverse backgrounds, including retirees, working professionals, and a range of nationalities. Socially inclusive, the community reserved eight apartments for social housing tenants, ensuring accessibility beyond financial privilege. While men are welcome as visitors, residency is strictly women-only, reflecting the residents’ goal of creating a safe, empowering environment to live independently but together.
Why it feels good
New Ground provides its residents with an important alternative to traditional senior living by prioritizing autonomy, dignity, and mutual support. It allows women to age in place with control over their environment and schedules, sharing responsibilities like maintenance, gardening, and finances, while engaging in a strong social network of peers. This blend of independence and community counters loneliness and societal ageism.
The community’s governance model is designed to foster harmony and respect. Members resolve differences through trained conflict-resolution skills and use consensus-based decision-making where possible, requiring 80% agreement for major choices. This commitment highlights their collective effort to create a supportive and empowering space despite the inevitable challenges of communal living.
What to enjoy or watch next
New Ground’s story may inspire similar cohousing initiatives worldwide, especially those aimed at supporting aging populations in dignified, socially connected ways. Watching how other communities adopt this model could offer hope and practical solutions for people interested in alternative housing systems emphasizing independence and inclusivity.
For those curious about community living or gender-focused developments in housing, keeping an eye on innovative projects like New Ground can provide valuable insights into how cooperative housing evolves. These efforts reflect broader trends toward reclaiming agency and friendship in later life, offering fresh perspectives on aging and living well together.