Retirement Reimaged

And it’s a Retirement Packed with Personality

Forget any preconceptions of retirement living as quiet corridors, closed doors and days that all feel the same.

When you step inside an Adlington Retirement Living community you’ll find something far more vibrant. In our communities creativity thrives, conversations flow over coffee, and every day offers a new reason to smile.

Individuality is celebrated, and life feels full of colour, warmth and purpose. Meet some of the people who make our communities so special.

Frank – The Adventurer

When Frank moved to Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme in September 2024, it marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Since settling in, Frank has thrown himself into life at Brookfields House. He enjoys the book club, goes to a local gym every week, bakes cakes in his kitchen and treats himself to meals in the on-site restaurant. He has even rekindled his passion for travel.

“I went back to India in November 2024, and I’ve just returned from my seventh visit to Nepal. The greatest benefit has been the improvement to my well-being. Humans need community. I’d say give it consideration and come and have a look around.”

Tony – The Navigator

Tony has seen the world from many perspectives. He began as a young cadet crossing the North Atlantic, became a chartered surveyor travelling the world, and built a family home with his late wife Sheila. Now he enjoys lunches with neighbour Rob, cinema trips, exercise classes and outings.

“Here I have friends on tap if I want them, privacy when I don’t, staff who genuinely care, and no gardening or home maintenance.” For Tony, Broadleaf House has become a safe harbour.

Rob – The Entrepreneur

From building a successful ceramic tile business to travelling the world, Rob’s working life was driven by creativity, hard work and curiosity. When he passed the company on to his son, he began looking for something new. He wanted to find a sense
of connection, purpose and a change from the solitude of a big house. Broadleaf House offered all of that and more. Six months after moving in, Rob’s diary is full, with Mondays for bridge, Thursdays for exercise, and Fridays for walking groups followed by coffee on the terrace. He has even launched “Bobby’s Bingo”, which has quickly become a cheerful feature of community life.

His dog Toby is part of the story too. Together they visit a nearby care home to bring smiles to residents’ faces, while closer to home Toby has become a favourite among neighbours at Broadleaf House.

“I settled in quicker than I ever thought. Loneliness has gone. I see more people now than in the previous twenty years. You keep your independence, you gain companionship, and you shrug off the worry.”

Bernadette – The Socialite

Bernadette has already built a busy social life. Before moving Bernadette often found herself spending days without face-to-face contact. Now her calendar is filled with film nights, walking groups and community celebrations.

“I try to join as many events as I can. The staff make a real effort and everyone here is really nice. It makes a difference having lovely people around.”

She has begun planning new holidays with her niece and is considering taking up golf again. With her energy and sociable nature, Bernadette has embraced retirement living as a chance to connect, relax and enjoy the company of others.

Gloria and Peter – The Partnership

Gloria and Peter first met at a ballroom dancing class as teenagers and were married in 1966. After raising their family and spending nearly half a century in their four-bedroom bungalow, they decided it was time for a new chapter.

Now they are settled in a bright three-bedroom apartment, enjoying a full calendar of activities. Together they have discovered a supportive community, more time for family and an active lifestyle that they both enjoy.

“We like it here, we wouldn’t go back,” says Peter.

Maura and David – The Companions

Maura and David began their relationship as pen pals in 1959, have now been married 61 years and spent four decades in their Leighton Buzzard home. Now they enjoy Sunday lunches with neighbours, themed events, talks, trips and new activities such as armchair yoga.

“If you’re looking for friendship, it’s sociable and welcoming. We get along with everybody. Almost everyone meets for Sunday lunch in the restaurant, then into the lounge for a chat.”

For Maura and David, the move has given them both independence with support, and the chance to keep enjoying life together.

Margaret – The Enthusiast

Margaret is proof that life in later years can be as busy and rewarding as ever. She thrives on being part of things, whether running her local Pétanque club, joining U3A talks, keeping up her French in a reading group or heading out on walking trips with friends.
In addition she still finds time to meet neighbours for themed restaurant evenings and garden parties. Her grandchildren often visit, and she relishes the balance between family life, her own interests and the new friendships formed.

Margaret says she probably has a more active social life now than she did before, and she has been struck by the warmth of both staff and neighbours.

“I keep telling people, when they ask how I am doing, ‘I am in awe of it all.’ I have never had an experience like this before. Everybody is just so lovely, I cannot get over it.”

For Margaret, being part of a retirement community has not meant slowing down. It has meant finding the freedom and support to keep saying yes to life, and to enjoy every opportunity with enthusiasm.

Why community matters

The Campaign to End Loneliness has shown that regular, meaningful connections do more than lift the spirits: they can strengthen the immune system, ease the risk of depression and even contribute to living longer.

• Positive social interaction is linked with improved cognitive health and can help reduce the risk of memory related illnesses.
• Sharing enjoyable activities lowers stress levels and supports a healthier heart, and being active together, whether in a gentle exercise class, a gardening group or a walking club, keeps the body moving without it feeling like a chore.
• Emotional strength grows too. Scientists know that fun and companionship stimulate the body’s natural mood enhancers, which build resilience and help people cope better with life’s challenges.

Find your personality, find your place

From entrepreneurs to adventurers, Adlington Retirement Living is home to every kind of personality. The common thread is freedom from worry and a life made richer by friendship, activity and joy.

You can read more stories like this in our free monthly magazine Adlington Life.

Claim your free subscription>