Since her husband passed away, Chrissie, 72, had lived alone with her dog, Rosie, in a three-bedroomed bungalow near Quince Court in Sandy.
Over a period of two years, Chrissie watched the new extension being built across the way, seeing an additional 25 modern apartments for independent living being built and a refurbishment to the existing Extra Care scheme. Chrissie kept an eye on progress, talking to the builders, and as soon as it was ready she was eager to have a look round.
“The new apartments looked lovely so I enquired about a possible move. I knew my family worried about me living alone in my bungalow – it was so much to manage by myself, especially the garden.
“I moved in on New Year’s Day this year. My family are over the moon that I’m here. I’m safe, I’ve got friends and my family’s happy that I’m happy.
“I’ve no garden to manage here and I don’t miss all the housework I had to do. This apartment was brand new, all lovely and clean.
“Moving here has definitely made a difference to my life. I’m never lonely; there’s always someone to talk to, including Grand Union staff and the carers, who are all lovely.
“My cockapoo Rosie loves it here as well – she loves everybody, and everybody loves her. She gets fed in so many of the apartments!
“I love having company and I’m delighted to have made so many friends. Every day our ‘2 o’clock club’ meets in the communal lounge, or outside if the weather is nice. There can be up to 20 of us sometimes!
“At the club we chat, we laugh, we drink cups of tea and we make plans. I’m so happy to have met people with similar interests to me.
“Later in the year some of us are going to Blackpool on a coach for a short break – I’m really looking forward to that!
“My friend came to visit me shortly after I moved in and she cried with happiness for me. Now she’s my neighbour!
“I sometimes have to remind myself I’m not on holiday, it’s my home. It’s beautiful here. I’m so glad I moved.”