Resident Stories

Swimming is the best form of exercise especially for older adults. I have swum in National, European and World championships winning medals in Sweden, Russia, Hungary, Italy and the UK.

I just love to perform. I even recorded my own song in the Netherlands at a studio. Soon I’ll be going on tour in America with fellow competition winners at a talent agency.

I've always collected music and been a fan of it, I don't know why but I collected karaoke songs. After a year of living at the village I stepped in and DJ’d at a 90th birthday party, after that I ended up doing it regularly. That’s how I got my nickname ‘DJ Roy’.

I love to build illusions and create magic equipment. I auditioned for the Magic Circle and was accepted when I was in my 40s!

When my husband and I reached middle-age, we developed different hobbies. It was then we realized our shared desire to explore something entirely new to both of us. We decided to pursue beekeeping!

It has been two and a half years since we moved into Shenley Wood. We found our apartment here with the help of the council and I love it, it’s the best thing that happened to me. I love everything about this place.

I’ve taken my family on cruises for the last six years, and now I am as excited to come back home as I am to go on holiday. It sounds crazy but it’s true. Loneliness is the biggest killer, that’s what I say to people. You have to think of the future. To me a place like this is the future.

We have been at Bournville Gardens since it opened.
The whole concept of having everything on site here is perfect. Even if you don’t drive, you can still have a life. I hope the people who come here will be as happy as we’ve been.

I was a keen backgammon player from a young age, and I come from a card playing family. At my home here at Hughenden Gardens Village, I’ve taught others how to play the board game. All my life I’ve been a leader, not a follower. I got involved in lots of things, and here I am.

We are a community of our own here. I recently arranged a trip to Llandudno. It was wonderful!
If you want the social side, you have it all here.

I would absolutely recommend Hagley Road Village to anyone. My favourite thing about life here is that I enjoy the company. The staff here make you feel better, we have everything on hand, and I have many friends. I just enjoy living here.

I was a teacher and am a qualified life coach – I do training, mentoring and empowerment sessions at Pannel Croft. I empower people to move them from where they are, to where they wish to be.