David and June moved into an ExtraCare Village in 2024. Their grandson Callum works in the bistro, which means they often get to spend quality time together around the village. Here, they share their thoughts on living and working side by side, and how David, as an amputee, has made village life work for him.

June: “Hughenden Gardens is perfect for David as an amputee. Our previous home just wasn’t suited to his needs. We viewed a few apartments and the one we’re in now was the one I liked the most, so I was delighted when we got it.

Before we moved in, I wondered how I’d ever manage going from a house to an apartment, but everything fell into place. Callum’s mum handled the removal side, and my other daughter managed the clean-up. When we arrived, the apartment looked ten times bigger than I remembered and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful. I can live here.’”

David: “It’s brilliant here. You’ll always find someone to talk to, and lots of people are in a similar situation to me, some in wheelchairs too. Everyone has a tale to tell, and if you’re willing to listen, they’ll talk.

I go to the gym here every day, sometimes even twice a day and I’ll go with Callum too! I use the library and the corner store, and I’ve been teaching Callum snooker in the snooker room, so we spend a lot of time together.”

Callum: “One day the three of us were eating in the bistro and they mentioned they were short-staffed. I offered to help, and the rest is history — I ended up working here. After college I come to the village every day, visit my grandparents and have dinner with them.”

David: “Before, when I was living in a house, all I really had was a window to look out of and the television. That was my lot. This is so much better. If June’s out, I’ll go to the gym on my own, and there’s always someone to chat to. There are all sorts of characters here. And of course, we love having our grandson working here.”

June: “You have to take things slowly when you first move in. It took me a little while to adjust, but I absolutely love not having to take the bins out at night anymore. When David had his leg removed, that job fell to me, so now when I put my rubbish down the chute I think, ‘There is a god after all!’ It may seem silly, but it’s actually quite important.

If you ever need anything, you can ask someone. If something seems wrong, maintenance will come and check it. It’s real peace of mind.”

Callum: “I think it’s great that my grandparents are here. I meet so many lovely people working in the bistro, it’s a really nice community. Hopefully I’ll have a place here myself one day!”