Linda ‘Lin’ Fowler, 77, lives at ExtraCare’s Brunswick Gardens

Here Lin discusses volunteering and how she and husband Ken made their mark at the retirement village in Sheffield.

I’ve lived at Brunswick Gardens for 14 years, my husband Ken and I arrived when it had just opened, and it struck us as being like a wonderful hotel back then.

At the time we heard about a new village and thought there would be people our age, we also wanted the peace of mind of a secure place to live. When we moved here, we volunteered at the village. Ken and I were former publicans, so we knew all about that life and we volunteered to work behind the bar. I’d say volunteering really gives you a purpose in life.

I have five children and six great grandchildren. My children are happy as they know mum has people here to help us. This place has pulled me through the past years. I can’t fault the staff at all. I don’t personally need care, but it’s there if you need it.

People refer to the area I volunteer at as ‘Lin’s box’, it’s the village box office. I work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am-12pm, selling tickets and watching the door for events. We are really like one big family here. We had a volunteer’s party in December and enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner. If I had still been in my flat and not at Brunswick, I’d have been cut off from everything.

This place supported me after I lost my husband. When Ken passed away the village even had a plaque put up for him in the bar, the place he loved and where we spent such happy times. I can go and visit it whenever I like.

There’s friendship everywhere here, you’re not lonely, in any ExtraCare village you have as much privacy or friendship as you want. I’ve got all the support I need and that’s the beauty of living at a retirement village.