The Co-Compassion Community aims to provide safe and inspiring accommodation for older people who are still independent but require help with everyday activities such as shopping. We will start with 15 units but potentially to expand to 30.  There will also be a pre-school kindergarten.

The community will include:

• Study centre for meditation and practice, a space for visiting lamas to give teachings.

• Accommodation for visiting lama and assistant.

• Accommodation for those wishing to deepen their studies on Buddhism with a teaching program over 4 years, in return for a commitment to helping the seniors for a set number of hours.  Start with 35 students with potential to expand to 70, single and shared units.

• Communal dining for all living on-site, and for those visiting, potential to hold 200 people at a sitting. 

• Pre-school kindergarten day centre next to accommodation for the elderly.

• An external area for public areas such as naming ceremonies, weddings and funerals, potential to hold 100 people.

• A meditation garden.

A community made up of independent-minded older people and a sangha of practitioners who wish to deepen their studies on Buddhism and in return help the retired seniors with communal meals, personal shopping etc.

The seniors would maintain their independence in their own studio with ensuite bathroom, and would be encouraged to participate in communal mealtimes, to encourage the mix of generations, knowledge and experience.  The cafe would continue to be open throughout the day and evening for residents and visitors. 

The provision of a pre-school kindergarten for up to 15 children next to the accommodation for the elderly would allow a natural mix of generations.

The studios would be leased for a particular length of time, or until the individual is no longer capable of taking care of themselves and requires 24 hour support.  In that case, the community would continue to connect with the individual by visiting them and maintaining contact as much as feasibly possible.

The helpers would live on-site with accommodation and subsistence provided, and commit to a set number of working hours and hours spent in the study programme in return for a small financial contribution.  The study programme is for 4 years, and on completion there would be a diploma with the possibility of continuing their studies at the Namdroling Monastery. 

Public activities such as naming ceremonies, weddings and funeral services taking place would encourage like-minded visitors

A temple building for meditation, teachings and practices, and to provide accommodation for visiting lamas and khenpos.