Siblings Pat and Bill, who both live at Sunley Court, have found real comfort in being just across the hall from one another. Here they share what it’s meant to reunite in later life, how they support each other every day, and what they believe their parents would think about them living together again.
Siblings Pat and Bill, who both live at Sunley Court, have found real comfort in being just across the hall from one another. Here they share what it’s meant to reunite in later life, how they support each other every day, and what they believe their parents would think about them living together again.
Pat & Bill
Sunley Court
Siblings Pat and Bill, who both live at Sunley Court, have found real comfort in being just across the hall from one another. Here they share what it’s meant to reunite in later life, how they support each other every day, and what they believe their parents would think about them living together again.
Pat’s Story — Living beside my “Bruv” again
I’m Pat, the big sister. I’m 74, three years older than Bill, and after six months of living at Sunley Court, I can honestly say I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
Before moving here, I lived alone in a bungalow in Oxfordshire. I was lonely. There was an insecurity in being alone, especially on your own in a bungalow. Every time I visited Bill, I felt something different here comfort, community, and this warm sense of belonging.
I’d been volunteering at Sunley Court before I moved in. I was tea making, assisting residents with their washing, moving furniture, I like to help everyone as much as I can. In many ways, I was already part of the family.
What really pushed me to move was seeing how well Bill settled and how welcoming they were to me too. And of course… living opposite my brother has been the biggest joy. It was so nice to move in with ‘my bruv’ as I call him. He’s got my back, I’ve got his. If I’m not feeling quite myself, Bill will just give me one of his little smiles and I’m right again. He’ll know when nobody else does.
When you’ve had a sibling for more than seventy years, that understanding runs deep. Living together as siblings we’ve got each other’s backs, it’s immediate, you don’t have to get someone on the phone and wait for them to arrive, it’s that closeness that means everything.
We tease each other as much as ever. Sometimes I bite, sometimes I don’t. But the truth is, Bill is my best friend. When you’ve lost a partner, it is especially nice to be near your sibling; we all need somebody, don’t we?
Our apartments are right opposite, and it’s wonderfully convenient. I look out my kitchen window into his.
I love everything about life here, the activities, the people, the safety. Recently I looked around on a rainy, stormy day and realised how lucky I am. I didn’t want to go out, and I had everything I wanted, company, games going on, activities left right and centre, brilliant staff… you didn’t even have to move to feel safe and secure.
Moving here took me one day to settle that’s how right it felt. And every day since, I’ve been happy that I get to grow older alongside my brother.
I know our parents would have been thrilled. They’d love the idea of us being together still even now, because this place is home for us, it’s very much home.
Pat in the red trousers and Bill with their parents and sister growing up.
Bill’s Story — The peace of mind of having my sister
I’m Bill, 71, and I’ve lived at Sunley Court for two years now. I moved in after losing my wife, and downsizing felt like the right step. I tried applying somewhere else and never heard back so Pat stepped in as my big sister, like she always does, like a personal assistant, and found Sunley Court for me.
From the moment I arrived, I felt welcome, the staff said, ‘This is your home, treat it like that,’ and I have ever since, everyone is welcome here.
I’m the youngest resident at Sunley which gives me a bit of pride, and a bit of fun too. Moving in it gave my grandson something to tease me about. I was chatting to a fellow female resident and my grandson said, ‘Grandad’s pulled already!’
Pat moved in later, and it felt right. She was here a lot anyway, volunteering, helping everyone. When she joined me, it felt complete. I get her to lighten up a bit and stop her from wearing herself out. Having her living opposite my door has been great. We’ve had seventy-odd years of laughing, teasing, and looking out for each other. Pat mollycoddles me sometimes and I never stop winding her up. But that’s just us. We’ve never had a real row in our lives!
When Pat’s feeling low, I can tell and she can tell with me too, we’ll have a little hug or a chat. That’s the sort of bond only siblings carry across a lifetime. It’s the peace of mind in knowing the other is there.
Our closeness isn’t just emotional it’s practical too. If she loses her key, I’ve got her spare and vice versa! It does come in handy.
Family is everything, we’ve both made good friends here, but nothing compares to having someone you’ve shared your whole life with right across the hall.
And if Mum and Dad could see us now? I think they’d love it!
Other Stories
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