Honestly, moving to Wixams is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s given me a new chapter, full of connection, purpose, and joy. It feels like this place was made for me. What more could anyone want?
Honestly, moving to Wixams is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s given me a new chapter, full of connection, purpose, and joy. It feels like this place was made for me. What more could anyone want?
Elsie
Wixams Village
Elsie, a resident at Wixams Village tells us about her adventurous life sailing to New Zealand, working for Everton Football Club and retirement at her Bedford Village.
I moved into Wixams Village in November 2024, and honestly, I haven’t looked back. I absolutely love it here. It feels like this place was made for me. I can do as much as I want as there are so many activities and ways to get involved, but I also love knowing I can head back up to my apartment whenever I need some quiet time.
My life has taken me all over. I got married when I was 19, and just 13 days later, my husband and I sailed off to New Zealand. We actually had our honeymoon on the boat. We built a life there, bought land, had two beautiful children, and worked hard. Sadly, I lost my husband while we were there. After that, my eldest son encouraged me to come back to England for a holiday. I planned to stay for six months… but I ended up never going back.
Back in England, I raised my children and worked various jobs while they were at school. Over the years, I worked in security, worked in a restaurant, then in the promotions office at Everton Football Club. Eventually, I opened a residential home for the elderly, which I ran for eight years, and finally a coffee shop. I retired at 55 but I’ve never stopped moving since.
Moving to Wixams wasn’t a random decision. I had a few friends who lived here, and I used to join one of them for lunch in the Bistro twice a week. I really liked the feel of the place, and eventually, I started volunteering in the Bistro. I did that for years. Everyone who came in thought I lived here already!
That’s when it hit me, maybe it was time to make the move. And when I thought it through, it became an easy decision. I was still driving until a little while ago, but I had already started thinking: “If I give up driving, I need to be somewhere where everything’s nearby. I want to stay independent.” Wixams had everything I needed, right on my doorstep.
I really liked the feel of the place, and eventually, I started volunteering in the Bistro. I did that for years. Everyone who came in thought I lived here already!
That’s when it hit me, maybe it was time to make the move.
Get to know Elsie more in this video…
Hear more from Elsie
I applied and was lucky enough to get my apartment through social housing, which made it all possible. I have a lovely, spacious one-bedroom apartment. I’ve just about finished furnishing it, and it really feels like home now.
Now, I keep busy doing the things I love. I still volunteer on reception and in the Bistro, and I use the gym a couple of times a week. I joined the choir (which I was already part of before moving in), and I’ve learned to play bridge in the last few months! I go to bingo, quizzes, afternoon teas—you name it, I’ll give it a go.
I’ve even been learning how to catch the bus recently. That’s a whole new experience for me, and it’s actually been quite fun!
The social side of life here is brilliant. I’ve made a lot of friends. My son and his partner come to see me once a month for Sunday lunch, it’s a lovely routine we’ve kept.
And there’s a safety feature that gives me and my family such peace of mind: there’s a tablet on the wall with a smiley face. You just tap it each morning to let them know you’re okay. If you don’t, someone checks on you. It’s reassuring to know that someone’s always looking out for you. If I lived elsewhere, I could be stuck for days if something happened.
What I love most is the freedom. I can still come and go as I like, but if I want company or a chat, someone’s always around. I usually head downstairs in the morning and have a good natter, it keeps you feeling young, being around people and laughing together. If you’re considering moving into a retirement village like this, my advice is simple, come and meet people, have a chat, take part in things. You’ll be surprised at how much is on offer. You could keep going for 12 hours a day if you wanted to!
And if you’re worried about making the leap, just remember what my family said to me: “Go for it, Mum, you only live once.”
Honestly, moving to Wixams is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s given me a new chapter, full of connection, purpose, and joy. What more could anyone want?
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