Making a move later in life isn’t always about necessity, sometimes it’s about understanding what will truly enhance your lifestyle. For many Churchill Living Owners, a move to a Churchill Lodge is a decision that brings about a renewed sense of confidence, connection and peace of mind whilst maintaining that all-important independence. At Charrington Lodge in Oxted, Trish Bramley discovered that keeping an open mind can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding new chapter.
Trish hadn’t originally considered a Churchill apartment. After losing her husband, she made the decision to move closer to her family, having previously retired to Norfolk. She had been in the process of buying a non-retirement property which didn’t work out. With her belongings in storage, Trish decided that she had nothing to lose by taking a look.
“I didn’t think somewhere like this was for me, I thought I was still too young for senior living.” She admitted, “If you’d have asked me six months ago if I’d consider a retirement apartment, I’d have said no. I didn’t think I was at that stage. But I went into Charrington Lodge with an open mind and left with a completely different perspective on it altogether. It just felt so right.”
From the moment she walked through the doors of Charrington Lodge, her pre-conceptions of what over 60s living looked like completely changed.
“It felt like coming home. It was cosy, inviting and safe, which is so important. The communal areas are modern and up to date, which is the exact type of style I like. I like contemporary things, I’m quite minimalist, so I instantly felt comfortable. It felt wonderful, really lovely.”
Having gone from sharing her life with someone to living alone, Trish realised that what she had been missing wasn’t independence, it was community.
“It doesn’t matter how many friends you have, when you lose someone special, life can feel lonely. Even the strongest of people can feel like that, but the community I’ve found here at the Lodge has been so valuable in keeping me social. I love talking to people and everyone here has such interesting life stories, it’s so lovely to hear about what they did when they were younger. I don’t see people as an age, people are people, that’s how it works here. Most of us are like-minded, we can have a laugh and we are all here for the same reason – to feel safe and live without worries.” Trish said.
What reassured her most was discovering that life at the Lodge is entirely on her own terms.
“My friends thought it would be like a care home, but it isn’t at all. It’s independent living. It’s your own apartment, your own front door, your own space. You can do as much or as little as you want, nothing is compulsory.”
Trish has plans to continue to make the most of the surrounding amenities and live actively, “I’ve got my walking boots ready, I’m excited to explore the countryside! Oxted is a really beautiful place. I’ve realised that people aren’t going to come to me, I’ve got to get out there. Being here makes that so much easier.”
Alongside that independence comes a sense of reassurance, “There’s a safety network here if I need it. Tina, the Lodge Manager, has been wonderful; helping me settle in and answering any questions I might have, always with a smile and nothing is too much trouble! The Careline system is there too should you need it. It just makes you feel comfortable and my family are very happy knowing that that’s available to me, especially as I get older.”
“I downsized and its really simplified my life, the move was seamless!” she added, “The team arranged everything, even unpacking me on the day I moved in. It really took so much stress away. Any little snag was sorted right away, you aren’t chasing anything.”
Looking back, Trish sees her decision to move to Charrington Lodge as one that simply makes sense.
“One of the Owners said that I’ve had a smile on my face since I moved in – I think that’s true. You can just maintain your lifestyle, but somewhere that gives you more peace of mind. I think anyone debating a move should just come and have a look. Don’t rule it out . You might walk away with a completely changed mind like I did!”
For Trish, life at Charrington Lodge isn’t about giving anything up. It’s about gaining comfort, connection and the confidence to really enjoy whatever comes next.