Frank

When Frank moved to Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme in September 2024, it marked not just a change of address, but the beginning of a new, hopeful chapter.

Early Roots and Family Life

Apart from a brief period in the sixties, Frank has always lived in North Staffordshire. He met his wife Janet in London in 1964 when she was training to be a nurse at King’s College Hospital, and he was finishing the final year of his five-year engineering apprenticeship.

“We were happily married for 54 years and had three children, all of whom are now grown, married, and have families of their own.”

After marrying, Frank and Janet moved into a new build house in Blurton. Over the years, they moved from Blurton to Blythe Bridge, and on to the village of Fulford, where they spent over 30 years.

“That’s where I was before I came to Brookfields House.”

Janet had a fulfilling career as a district nurse before becoming a specialist palliative care nurse with the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. Frank worked as a design engineer, based in the West Midlands and Birmingham.

“My workdays were long, and most of my friends were colleagues.”

Both Frank and Janet retired early – Janet at 55, and Frank just before his 60th birthday.

Staying Active

Fitness has always been part of Frank’s life, especially thanks to the nine dogs, including a succession of seven Shetland Sheepdogs, they had throughout their marriage.

“Having dogs meant we were always out walking.”

The couple also joined a gym.

“Janet would swim and do yoga, and I’d use the equipment. I still go to the gym every week now. I do a variety of exercises using machines and weights to keep my muscles going.”

Frank’s also a keen walker.

“There’s a two-mile loop from here to the end of Lyme Valley and back – I quite enjoy that.”

A Life of Adventure

Once their children were grown, Frank and Janet began travelling extensively.

“We never liked beach holidays. We preferred visiting interesting and exotic places.”

Their first big trip was in 1985, a three-week adventure to India and Nepal.

“It was amazing. There were no mobile phones, no internet. It was a real adventure. While in India, we even met Sir Edmund Hillary. He was filming at the Pushkar camel fair.”

That trip sparked a lifelong love for both countries.

“We went back several times – six visits to Nepal, seven to India. We also saw Bhutan, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand.”

They trekked through Langtang, Annapurna Base Camp, and the Everest region, enjoying real adventures together.

Coping with Loss

The couple had planned another trip to India in 2020, but Covid changed everything, and Janet became ill with Alzheimer’s disease.

“It became necessary for her to go into a care home just before Christmas that year. I was completely bereft and devastated that this decision had finally had to be made.

“The restrictions meant I couldn’t visit properly. Window visits were very distressing, and later I could visit but we had screens between us. By the time I was able to visit my wife properly, I was no longer sure that she recognised me.”

Janet passed away just before Christmas 2022, a month before their 54th wedding anniversary.

A Big Decision

Afterwards, Frank found himself isolated.

“It took a while to adjust to the fact that I was a widower albeit I had been on my own for the previous two years. My wife and I were so close. She was my best friend. I often thought, ‘Janet’s up there, looking down – she’d want me to do the right thing.’”

His children all live away – his youngest daughter in Derby, his eldest daughter in Portsmouth, and his son near Northwich.

Living alone in a large, four-bedroom house with a garden in a rural village felt unsustainable.

“Everything required the car,” he says. “I looked at bungalows near my youngest daughter in Derby but all the ones I viewed were tired and were projects requiring work.”

Frank realised that simply downsizing wouldn’t solve the deeper issue.

“What I needed was a community.”

That’s when he found Brookfields House.

Finding a New Home

At this point, Brookfields House had not yet opened, so after speaking with the Adlington sales team, Claire and Jason, Frank was encouraged to visit an existing community in Heaton Mersey.

“One of the homeowners chatted with me over lunch and said, ‘It’s the best thing I ever did – I wish I’d done it years ago.’ I heard that again and again. Nobody regretted it.”

Frank chose a two-bedroom apartment and moved in at the end of September 2024.

Settling In

“Once I moved in, I knew I’d made the right decision. I settled immediately and have made new friends. I have no regrets. It’s been the right thing for me. I have a community which I’ve not had before.”

Events at Brookfields are lively, and Frank enjoys the social atmosphere.

“We’ll sit, chat, share a bottle of wine. Everyone here is a friend.”

He uses the homeowners’ lounge as an extension of his own home.

“I love reading. I’m in the book club – we’re reviewing Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club this Friday. I’ve read all of his books.”

Cooking and baking are also a passion.

“When Janet went back to work after our third child, I learned to cook. And when she got ill, I missed her baking, so I had a go. It took me three attempts to perfect a lemon drizzle cake.”

He treats himself to the on-site restaurant now and then but mostly cooks for himself.

Support and Moving Forward

When the COVID restrictions eased, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice offered vital support to Frank through their care support meetings and later their bereavement groups.

“When I recently told them I didn’t need the group anymore, the lady said, ‘I’m so glad.’ That meant a lot.”

Frank has even started travelling again.

“I went back to India in November 2024, and I’ve just returned from my seventh visit to Nepal. Some places were bittersweet without Janet, but I saw new things too.”

Now, with the security and freedom of Brookfields House, travel is easier.

“I can just lock the door and go. No worries. Before, I had to cancel the post, get someone to keep an eye on the house, give my children’s numbers… Now, it’s all taken care of.”

Frank’s Advice

For others considering a move to retirement living, Frank offers thoughtful advice.

“My own situation was one of isolation. The greatest benefit has been the improvement to my wellbeing. Humans need community. I’d say give it consideration and come and have a look around.”