New £12m care village for Jewish community opens its doors in South Manchester

Belong Morris Feinmann has opened its doors in Didsbury, South Manchester, welcoming residents and members of the Jewish community to the new £12m facility.

The new village, which will provide world leading dementia care and a range of related services, comprises six households, each catering for 12 people in their own en-suite facilities, opening onto a private lounge, dining room and kosher kitchen. The village also includes 13 new one and two-bedroomed independent living apartments for rent or purchase, and a hub of facilities including a kosher bistro, synagogue, exercise studio and library.

Belong is recognised as an international leader in dementia care, based on a village model that combines specialist care with choice, independence and an active lifestyle.

Deborah Baker, General Manager, said: “We are very excited to have Belong Morris Feinmann up and running and to welcome our first residents to the village. It really is a state-of-the-art facility and we are sure that the new development will be popular in the Jewish community, not only in terms of care facilities and accommodation but also as the venue for a wide range of activities in the village centre.”

Rabbi Ellituv, Chaplain, added: “I have been pleased to have a major input in discussions about promoting the Jewish culture in the new village, and in influencing the design of the seven full certified Kosher kitchens and inclusion of two Shabbat lifts. There will be a Kosher restaurant and a Shul under the same roof, which will benefit the entire community.

“Nothing has been too much trouble for Belong and their enthusiasm in identifying and then meeting all our particular requirements is clear for all to see. I would strongly urge people to visit the new village and see how they may be able to get involved.”

The new Belong village has been built on the site of a former Morris Feinmann care home, originally to provide a home to Jewish refugees during the Second World War. Over the years, it evolved to primarily support older people from the Jewish community.