Life beyond 60 can be every bit as vibrant, social and rewarding as the years before. More than ever, people are discovering that retirement isn’t about slowing down, it is about having the time, space and freedom to truly enjoy what life has to offer. At Churchill, Owners are finding new opportunities to nurture friendships, feel secure and embrace community. For lifelong friends Kay and Joy, Churchill Living has not only offered them peace of mind and independence but has also given them the rare gift of becoming neighbours once again.
For more than three decades, Kay and Joy were more than just neighbours, they were dear friends. Joy moved to Beeston Fields Drive in 1962, and four years later Kay moved in right next door. Side by side, they raised their families, socialised with their husbands and built a friendship that has lasted for 57 years.
When Joy moved away in 1999, the two women stayed close, but never imagined they would one day find themselves living next door to each other again. That all changed in 2024, when Joy chose to make the move to Churchill’s Gilbert Lodge. Settling into her bright corner apartment, she quickly discovered all the benefits of the warm community, ease of living and security on offer from Churchill Living.
“I have a very easy life now,” commented Joy, “I just have to look after myself, my apartment and my indoor elderly cat, Lotte. I have plenty of time now to spend with the friends I’ve made here and enjoy all the entertainment on offer.”
Joy’s enthusiasm for her new home inspired Kay to take a look for herself. After years of managing a large family house alone, and having grown anxious following a burglary, Kay was ready for a fresh start. Encouraged by her daughter, she visited Gilbert Lodge. Reassured by the sense of safety and community, Kay decided it was the perfect place to downsize. In July 2024, she moved in… into the apartment right next to Joy’s.
“I love the sense of security and friendship at the Lodge. I was beginning to get a little nervous living alone in a large family home, especially following the burglary. Joy encouraged me to come and view a Churchill apartment, and me and my daughter agreed that it was ideal for me. I really enjoy the modern, new gadgets in my apartment - and of course, I get to spend quality time with Joy and our newfound friends.” Kay said, “For anyone considering moving to a Churchill Lodge, my advice is to just do it!”
Now, after 25 years, the two friends are neighbours once more. They enjoy daily coffee mornings, activities in the Owners’ Lounge, and have the reassurance of knowing they can live safely and supported by the Lodge Manager and Churchill team. Additionally, their children also have peace of mind, knowing their mums are happy, secure, and surrounded by friends.
Kay and Joy’s story reflects what life at Churchill is all about. It is a place where friendship and community can flourish, offering Owners the chance to reconnect with old neighbours and form new bonds through shared spaces. At the same time, it provides essential freedoms and independence, with apartments designed to make day-to-day living simple and stress-free.
For Kay and Joy, Churchill has provided not just a new home, but the chance to experience this next chapter of their lives together. Reunited as neighbours once again, they’ve rediscovered the joy of living side by side, proof that at Churchill, life is as much about community as it is about comfort.