Life really does come full circle. As a child I spent many a happy hour playing in the garden. We were fortunate to have lots of space in which to adventure. I’ve always preferred to be outdoors, I love to sit in the sun, I can almost feel my body soaking up all that vitamin D, revitalising my system. I equally love a walk in the rain or a hike through deep glistening snow. The outdoor life is the life for me.

Living at home my ability to get outside became limited. I am a little unsteady on my feet and I lost confidence. I worried about straying too far from home. It is unsettling to feel imprisoned in your own home; watching the world go by outside your window. A world that you were once part of.

Living here at Hazel End has transformed my life, I no longer stare wistfully out of my window. I have support on hand that allows me to live life the way I want to live it. 

The garden here is wonderful, the lawns are beautifully kept, and the flower beds are planted at a height that allows us to look after them. We are immensely proud of the haven we have created. We work hard throughout the spring, planting and weeding and when summer comes, we get to sit back and reap what we have sown. 

This week we have spent a lot of our time outside, we are all too aware that autumn is on its way and the opportunities for outdoor activities will soon become limited as the cooler weather sets in. 

The lifestyle team here are experts at creating a balance between high energy activities and opportunities to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures. Last week was a busy week, we flew to India, we crafted, we picked lavender and celebrated birthdays. This week we changed pace and spent time just enjoying our surroundings and each other’s company. We played games, we drank tea and ate cake; we chatted and recharged our batteries. 

There is often an assumption that moving into a care home means relinquishing your independence but, in my experience, nothing could be further from the truth. I am far more able to live a full life with the support that I receive here than I was when I lived alone. I have company when I want it and the peaceful haven of my own room when I want to be alone. It is the perfect balance.