IDS, the London based housing association with particular expertise in the provision of Jewish housing, has forged a partnership with an Abbeyfield Society to provide a home for 12 elderly Jewish people in Bushey.

IDS has contributed to the funding required to purchase and refurbish Belmont Lodge, Belmont Road, which was previously a residential care home. The property has been extensively upgraded to meet current standards. Two of the rooms are designed for couples, with each of the ten bedrooms featuring en suite facilities. A high degree of care will be provided at the home.

A number of synagogues and local volunteers were involved in developing the scheme. IDS will assist and advise on management, as well as providing maintenance services.

IDS Chief Executive, Paul Westbrook, said “When IDS was first formed at the end of the 19th Century, all our housing was in the east end of London, at the heart of the Jewish community. As our traditional client group has moved to other areas, we are keen to expand our activities accordingly. Belmont Lodge is our first involvement in Hertsmere. We see working in partnership with other organisations as a way of achieving more together than any of us would be able to deliver working alone”.

Belmont Lodge was officially opened on Sunday, 10 March by Jackie Gryn, widow of the late Rabbi Hugo Gryn.

Ends March 2002

For further information, please contact Paul Westbrook, Chief Executive, on 0208 800 9606.
For copies of the photograph in digital format, please contact Deborah Burton, Public Relations, on 01494 868611.

Editor’s notes

IDS
IDS was formerly known as the Industrial Dwellings Society. It was established by a group of Jewish philanthropists in 1885 in order to relieve the overcrowding in the East End of London where the large population of new immigrants faced very poor housing conditions.

Today IDS manages 1,300 properties in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Redbridge and Barnet. Its tenants still include Jewish people but are also reflective of the general ethnic mix of the communities where it operates. IDS has a modest development programme. Its aim is to provide accommodation to meet the needs of its traditional client group.

Abbeyfield Society
The national Abbeyfield Society is the parent body for 600 local member societies nationwide. It provides a range of accommodation and care to elderly people.

Belmont Lodge has been developed under the auspices of the Camden Abbeyfield Society working with the local group based in Bushey.