A reputation for excellence in London

By - August 05th 2013.

Florence Schlegel, left, was among the original owners of Kensington Village, now owned today by her children, Peter Schlegel and Carol Drudge.

Florence Schlegel, left, was among the original owners of Kensington Village, now owned today by her children, Peter Schlegel and Carol Drudge.

KENSINGTON VILLAGE RETIREMENT/NURSING HOME, as we know it today, was established in 1984 but its roots go back to the late 1960s.

In the ‘60s, Florence and Earl Schlegel (parents of current owners Peter Schlegel and Carol Drudge) and their partners opened Bethany Lodge on Sharon Road in Lambeth where Teen Challenge is currently located.

In 1984, a 30-bed nursing home and 60-bed retirement home opened at the intersection of Huron and Highbury Streets in London, and Kensington Village was born. Bethany Lodge continued on until 1990, at which time all remaining residents were transferred to the newly expanded nursing home at Kensington Village.

The Schlegel family have been involved from the beginning and continue to be “hands on” and very present in the running of Kensington Village. In addition, the philosophy of Kensington is the continuum of care. In the retirement home, different levels of care are offered, depending on the needs of the resident, including the option of Palliative Care.

When looking at the kind of challenges that a private establishment faces when going up against “the chain” type of operations, the things that come to mind are: 1. establishing name recognition; 2. keeping abreast of changes and 3. being our own experts in the running of a care facility.

We are able to offer flexibility of care options as opposed to over-all corporate policy.

Kensington Village is currently home to approximately 260 residents in a variety of room configurations ranging from private to wards. Residents enjoy three balanced meals each day with special consideration given to therapeutic diets. In addition, residents can participate in daily activities – bingo, music, crafts, church services, pet visits, exercises classes to name a few.

What makes Kensington Village so special?

  • a dedicated staff that works together as a team to provide the best possible care and is committed to delivering “compassion, comfort and care”
  • pride in the care that has been given over the years
  • our warm, homey and friendly atmosphere where you are a stranger only once.

Kensington Village is currently in the planning stages of an addition to the continuum of care with a more independent component. We are proud and happy to say “Come home to Kensington.”

(Photo description: Florence Schlegel, left, was among the original owners of Kensington Village, now owned today by her children, Peter Schlegel and Carol Drudge.)