Redefining Care Through Community: A Look Inside the Belong Village Model

As someone who has spent years working in long-term care, I’ve seen how easily environments can become task-driven and routine-focused. In many settings, the daily schedule revolves around care tasks and pre-planned activities, leaving little room for genuine connection or spontaneity.

During my visit to a Belong Village in the UK, I saw a very different approach in action. Instead of feeling like a traditional care home, it felt like a small, thriving community where life happens naturally. The focus wasn’t on managing behaviors or filling time with scheduled events—it was on creating meaningful moments woven into everyday living.

Small Households That Feel Like Home

Each Belong location is organized into small “households,” with six to seven residents sharing a space that includes a kitchen and living areas. This setup creates a familiar, home-like environment where relationships can grow. I noticed how simple, everyday activities—like baking together, watering plants, or making tea—became natural ways to engage residents, especially those living with dementia. These tasks weren’t labeled as “activities,” but rather as part of normal daily life, giving residents a sense of purpose and choice.

A True Community Hub

What really stood out to me was how open and connected the Villages are to the wider community. Each location includes spaces like a bistro, hair salon, art studio, and gym that are open to the public. Seeing people of all ages come and go brought a sense of energy and normalcy that is often missing in traditional care settings. It broke down that invisible wall between “the care home” and the outside world, fostering genuine intergenerational connections.

Activity Beyond the Calendar

In many care environments, activity staff work hard to plan calendars full of programs, but even the best calendars can feel forced or repetitive. At Belong, engagement doesn’t rely on a schedule. Instead, it happens organically as part of everyday routines and relationships. Staff are encouraged to focus on individual well-being through personalized connection rather than rushing from one program to the next.

A Different Way of Thinking About Care

The Belong model reflects a shift in dementia care toward honoring autonomy, purpose, and belonging. It reminded me why I became an activity professional in the first place: to help people live well, no matter their age or diagnosis.

In the next article in this series, I’ll share how Belong Villages integrate professional arts partnerships and intergenerational projects to bring even more creativity and connection to daily life.

– Colleen Knudson NAAP Outreach Director