So much more than lovely apartments

Rosanne had been thinking about moving into a retirement community since her husband died, and when her daughter told her she was moving away to Yorkshire to follow her lifelong dream, she knew she couldn’t delay any further. Here’s her story and observations on life in a time of Coronavirus from her new home at Woodbank Apartments.

Rosanne’s Story: “I’d been thinking about moving to a smaller home when a leaflet came through my door from Birchgrove, which made me want to know more, so I asked my daughter to investigate, and we visited the show suite. There we met Laura who was incredibly kind and put my daughter (who is very good at finance) in touch with a financial advisor who reckoned I could afford to stay here until I was 110. Which I do hope not to become!” She says with laughter.

“The apartments are so spacious and open. I love intimacy of the communal spaces and the gardens, so I opted for a bright two-bed apartment overlooking the woodland walk – it’s wonderful.

“I am particularly pleased with the design of the kitchen and bathroom – everything is so user-friendly and to such a high standard. The other thing I truly value is the freedom to please myself. There are no rules about what time to get up or go to bed, whether you can walk around the garden – you can live and socialise as you wish. And if you ever need help, the people here are incredible. Sam is so patient and dedicated, always helping me. We never go hungry because Richard, our chef spoils us - he makes the most wonderful canapés and roast dinners.

“I do admire the team’s commitment and support. It’s lovely to be with young people, they are so energetic and go to endless trouble to keep everybody amused. I love the quizzes – good for the mind. The events programme has something for everyone.

“When I think of friends in similar situations, a lot of them hang on to their houses for their offspring. Then end up, with no choice, in a nursing home with worries of staff coming in and out – whereas here, we are free of this virus – a great relief.

"I was very fortunate to have moved-in quickly. If I’d delayed any further, I’d be stuck at home, very much on my own. I rang an old neighbour to see how she was doing. Her husband’s in a care home, and she’s hardly seen him – yet she’s going shopping just ‘to get out of the house and not go potty.”

"I’d say to anyone thinking about moving to a place like this to come and see for yourself. Just because there are choices, doesn’t mean there is a wrong one. You just need to find what’s right for you.”

If you would like to find out more about Woodbank Apartments, get in touch with the team at Birchgrove on 020 3929 5599 or visit www. birchgrove.life.