THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR VILLAGES

An increasingly popular choice for rightsizers is the community of a retirement village. It can be, for many, a vital move from a position of dependency upon others to a freedom of living with a greater quality of life. A recent study highlighted the overwhelming benefits of retirement villages including that village residents are more active and remain healthier for longer.

If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it is to appreciate the little things in life. Taking a walk with family or friends, going out for a meal or dropping into a yoga class. These simple activities make a big difference to our day and our physical and mental wellbeing. The last 18 months have also shown us that more and more couples and individuals are looking at the option of moving to a retirement village. They can provide an easy and reassuring way of living, with fantastic amenities, all with the comfort of knowing there are friends and the village team members nearby.

Read our latest blog on the benefits of making the move to a retirement village by Howard Nankivell, Chief Executive Officer at Rangeford Villages.

These are separate short tales of two nurses who trained at different times in the city of Sheffield but at the same hospital.

Marian trained during the Second World War. 

Uniforms had starched caps which were worn low on the brow - to prevent nits from getting in the nurse's hair --and their aprons crackled with starch.

Retirement living specialist Rangeford Villages’ Mickle Hill in Pickering, North Yorkshire, offers a solution with its range of two-bedroom bungalows. Designed specifically for the over 60s, the homes allow retirees to live independently with their own front door and address, whilst still enjoying all the comfort of living in a purpose-built retirement community.

Congratulations to the winner of the Mickle Hill Residents Poetry Competition Robert Emmerson, with his special tribute to our NHS heroes. Robert won afternoon tea in the Café Bistro at Mickle Hill.

"The workshop is a great addition to the excellent amenities we already have at Mickle Hill. It was erected in 2019, and since then we have insulated it, lined out the inside, and painted it out. We have fitted it out with a purpose-made long joiners bench, a large table top for various activities, and a smaller bench so wheelchair users can be included as well. Two wood carving kits have been donated so we have lots of tools and equipment."

As the roadmap for coming out of national lockdown continues, Rangeford Villages have created our very own equivalent timetable. The 17^th May brings even more life back to the village with the opening of the restaurant and coffee shop for indoor as well as the already established outdoor seating. The newly installed gazebo will remain for those not so sunny days and the Village Hall can reopen again. We will also re-start the very popular outdoor exercise classes and the pool and spa continues to see increased usage within the appropriate guidelines.

A resident survey was conducted at later living village Wadswick Green, Corsham, in which 92% said they felt extremely safe, supported and comforted, knowing other people were around during the lockdowns, plus they enjoyed organised activities including outdoor Zumba and aerobics and being free to socialise within restrictions. To date, Wadswick Green has had no cases of COVID-19 amongst its residents.

At Wadswick Green, our mission is to empower residents to nurture their lifestyle choices and ensure that each of them does not only just exist but thrives. To help them live comfortably in their own home and make the most of their retirement with confidence, our Rangeford Care team offers personalised, onsite care and support to assist on every aspect of their lives.

"I founded the Musical Memories group about four years ago now. I’d been at Wadswick Green for a few months, and I thought I would set a group up and see what the interest would be."

"Music is really connected to people’s memories, and I find for over 60s it’s particularly true with music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I noticed how easily people remembered music and lyrics, so I thought that maybe playing music and discussing it could be a good idea."