Abbeyfield’s drive for diverse homes

Abbeyfield’s drive for diverse homes

As South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) spotlights diverse communities, Abbeyfield Living Society celebrates the impactful work of team members like Abdul A. Ravat, Head of Development and Growth.

With operations spanning nine countries across four continents, Abbeyfield Living Society is a global force committed to diversity. Abdul's personal journey, combined with decades of professional expertise, is instrumental in shaping its future – creating welcoming and inclusive homes for all older people.

Roots of a Vision: Heritage and Early Life

Abdul's commitment to inclusive housing comes from his own background. He is proud of his Anglo-Indian heritage and was inspired by his grandparents' decision to stay in their community in Gujarat after the Partition. They chose to remain in their peaceful neighborhood rather than risk a long, dangerous journey to Pakistan. This story taught Abdul early on about the importance of people living together respectfully and feeling safe at home.

His childhood also shaped his perspective. Despite early challenges, those experiences gave him a strong drive. "I never tire in seeing the joy on residents and their families when they get the keys to a new home," he says. For Abdul, "the home is the heartbeat of a family, community the essence of a good and caring society."

A Career Dedicated to Community

Abdul's three-decade career in affordable housing and community development is marked by significant achievements. Early on, he helped establish a Home Improvement Agency for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. He then successfully argued for it to be managed by Keep Warm, a local energy project that already provided services to vulnerable residents.

In this role, Abdul focused on getting staff to support the organization's goals through discussion and involvement. This collaborative approach, combined with new procedures and training programs, led to a successful growth strategy. Under his leadership, the organisation expanded its services and secured new contracts, including one in the neighboring borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Abdul now brings this same proven, collaborative approach and deep understanding of community needs to Abbeyfield, where he continues to shape our strategy and ensure staff commitment.

Fuelling Diversity Through Heritage

Abdul highlights that South Asian Heritage Month provides an important opportunity for the generation that only knows the UK to "understand their global heritage and fill important gaps in knowledge, cultures, customs, and links between the generations in so many families, including his own."

He notes, "It is wonderful that Abbeyfield Living Society, as a global force itself, operating in nine countries and four continents is starting to get engaged and explore the value of the month-long celebration in the South Asian community to celebrate the heritage of people with roots in the South Asian countries." This appreciation for diverse backgrounds directly translates into Abdul's work, ensuring Abbeyfield Living Society considers varied needs.

Addressing the Ageing Challenge: Pioneering "Faith-Sensitive Housing"

As Head of Development & Growth, Abdul is focused on creating new housing solutions for the UK's diverse older population.

He shared some key statistics on this growing demographic:

• The number of people in the UK aged 65 and over is nearly 11 million (19% of the population). This is expected to rise to almost 13 million (22%) in the next decade.
• The social and ethnic minority population aged 65 and over in England and Wales is projected to increase five-fold to 3.8 million by 2051. Of these, 2.7 million will be from non-white backgrounds.
• The number of Muslims aged 65 and over is estimated to quadruple from 110,000 in 2011 to 450,000 by 2036.

Abdul notes that people from faith and minority groups often face more challenges, such as financial hardship, poor health, and shorter life expectancy. This is why he is focused on "faith-sensitive housing"—housing solutions that truly reflect the diversity of the aging population.

This involves:

• Cultural Needs: Designing homes that are sensitive to cultural, linguistic, and dietary needs.
• Accessibility: Providing support to help older adults from minority groups find suitable housing and overcome practical and emotional barriers.
• Adaptability: Offering flexible homes that can accommodate multi-generational living and other changing needs.
• Fairness: Expanding affordable housing, especially for those who have been underserved.
• Community: Creating age-friendly neighborhoods that combat isolation and build social connections. Abdul emphasizes, "The current offer is patchy and driven by ignorance," highlighting the urgent need for a proactive approach.

Growth Rooted in Inclusion

Abbeyfield Living Society's new Growth & Development Strategy for 2025-2030 aims to add 300 new properties. This ambitious plan is driven by a commitment to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse resident population.

Here’s the projected number of new homes each year:

• 2025-2026: 40
• 2026-2027: 40
• 2027-2028: 75
• 2028-2029: 75
• 2029-2030: 70

Abdul acknowledges that Abbeyfield is in the early stages of collecting data on diverse needs, but they are already working proactively to understand and adapt. This includes collaborating with community organisations in places like Sunderland and Cambridge. He emphasises the importance of being proactive, stating, "By talking, engaging, understanding and being proactive rather than reactive which has been the prevailing position for decades."

He firmly believes that faith-sensitive housing—with features like prayer spaces, culturally appropriate meals, and bilingual support—is essential for promoting well-being and a sense of community for older people.

Abdul also wants to address the mismatch between the ethnic makeup of residents and staff in diverse areas. He sees this as a great opportunity to attract more diverse talent to the social care sector.

Cultivating Leading Inclusive Communities

Abdul's goal for Abbeyfield is to use its understanding of the market to create tailored services that everyone can access fairly. He sees this as a major opportunity to support people as they age.

Abbeyfield aims to be a leader in this area, and Abdul is helping to drive this through his connections. When asked what is most important for an inclusive atmosphere, he says, "Trust, openness, and a willingness to learn." He stays informed about community needs by having direct conversations, suggesting, "Go out there and make positive connections and be open to talk over a cup of tea."

Through his work, Abbeyfield is building communities that celebrate the rich diversity of the UK's older population, not just homes.

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