COVID19 was no barrier for three intrepid ladies who moved to a McCarthy & Stone development in August – and became good friends.
The three women now enjoy a socially distanced drink together every Sunday and share similar stories. Each had lost their beloved husbands and realised it was time to downsize and be closer to their children. It was never going to be an easy decision but and one would have thought lockdown would have made it much harder. Surprisingly it wasn’t.
Sheila Walters, 85
“My husband Trevor and I looked around Scott Place in May 2019, but he wasn’t keen on moving. I loved it, but there’s no point if it’s just one of you.” Sadly Trevor passed away soon after and around a year later Shelia decided to visit Scott Place again. “I loved it the first time, I loved it even more the second. Absolutely loved it. Everyone here is so happy. The apartment is so light and spacious with its two bedrooms and it’s just three minutes from Lichfield town centre.”
Moving during a pandemic
Sheila was not at all worried about contracting the virus when she moved – everyone wore masks. She says, “The Smooth Move service was so good, all we had to do was walk out of the house. They did everything. If you leave a dishcloth on the side, they even pack that. I was delighted.”
What’s it like living in Scott Place?
“It’s a very nice community. The lady downstairs left a bunch of Sweet Peas in a vase outside the door when I moved in. When I returned the vase, I gave her some chocolate.
“The House Manager Julie is lovely. She never interferes but is there to help when you need it. There’s company if you want it too. I’d recommend it to everyone. My daughter’s mother-in-law came to look around my apartment and now she wants one! … I can’t quite believe I’m here. I love it.”
L-R Sheila Waters, Jean Taylor and Jacqui Morgan
Jacqui Morgan, 80
Jacqui also moved in August, but this time from Newport in South Wales after the death of her husband Ivor.
“It was a big move – both geographically and emotionally. “But I’m like that,” she said. “Once I’ve made my mind up I’m off.”
How was moving in during the pandemic?
“I felt all I could do was take sensible precautions … everything was in lockdown at the time. No one was going out. But I didn’t really feel like it made the move any more difficult.
“McCarthy & Stone had everything nailed with safety, their approach is sensible, straightforward and cautious.
Would you recommend moving despite the pandemic?
“I love my apartment, it’s so light and warm and my daughter is only 20 mins away. I’m looking forward to the end of the restrictions – I want to be able to make the most of the social life on offer… like coffee mornings and Christmas parties, but I’ve not missed my old home at all.
“I think if things had not worked out so well, I might have done, but surprisingly I’ve not missed it…I have no regrets. How lucky am I?”
Jean Taylor, 86
Jean lived with her husband Benjamin in a large house in the outskirts of Walsall Wood for about 50 years – after he died it took her five years to make up her mind to move.
“The children persuaded me. I looked around [Scott Place] in February and I said yes straight away, I was very happy and put down a retainer so no one else could have it. Then in April I started having doubts.
“It’s the time my husband died and it brought back memories of everything we did in our old home… It was absolutely a wrench leaving.” Jean decided to come and take another look at the apartment. “When I saw it again, I definitely knew it was right.”
Would you recommend moving despite the pandemic?
“I wasn’t worried about the pandemic at all, I took precautions, everyone else took precautions.
“The actual move was easy. I would definitely recommend it. I am much less isolated than I was in my old home… I sleep so soundly now. It’s absolutely safe and secure.
“The community is really friendly. I’ve got to know a lot of names already and we have WhatsApp chats. Jacqui and Sheila are nice girls, we go down to the garden and take out our wine glasses and someone usually brings a bottle.”
There are just two remaining properties for sale at Scott Place, Lichfield. Find out more here.
McCarthy & Stone is the UK’s leading developer of retirement communities offering elegant retirement properties to rent or for sale. For more information, please visit McCarthy & Stone.
