In wisdom, we realise that our confidence comes from a sense of belonging. Being connected to a community is what gives us a sense of belonging. Over time our ability to socialise in our free time expands while our community and neighbourhoods are changing.
COVID-19 has had a particularly strong influence on people seeking different needs from home design and also their communities. At Uniting we realise that confidence comes from belonging and sharing memorable moments with like-minded people.
That’s why community and caring are built in at every Uniting NSW/ACT retirement village. Moving into the next phase of your life should be an exciting occasion. Uniting believes that everyone should enjoy the confidence of belonging.
One person who knows this intimately is Leonie.
Leonie decided to move to Uniting Mayflower Gerringong in 2010 after taking part in a village tour.
She had already experienced the village when her father had previously lived there. She jumped at the opportunity and set off to make sure she could become part of the community.
“One of the first things I did was set up a veggie patch,” says Leonie. “I was a talker like Dad, so it was a great excuse to have a chat.”
Leonie’s veggie patch became her own social sanctuary. Many of Leonie’s good friends now do the gardening together at Mayflower and the veggie patch has become its own community centre.
“There is something special about our village,” she says. “There is a spirit of caring, not just among the staff but among all the people who live here.
“This is a little village and we all belong to each other. We’re family.”
Since joining the village at Gerringong, Leonie has seen her social network expand and sees it as her true home.
Leonie also enjoys the freedom that retirement living has given her. No longer does she have to worry about mowing the lawns or the letterbox filling up while she is away. Uniting’s specialist staff take away the hassle of maintenance for her property and allow her to focus on what truly matters.
“You don’t realise the friendships and the interdependence you’ll develop when you move in,” Leonie explains. “Every day I am surrounded by things to do with my friends. There are more activities going on than anyone could ever hope to get to!”
Uniting has had more than 50 years’ experience to consider each and every detail that makes retirement living more enjoyable. People like Leonie live the Uniting values and ethos. And it can only be a home when you are in a community where you belong.
Everyone deserves to discover new passions in the comfort of their home. A community full of respectful, social and like-minded individuals, and their pets should they choose.
Uniting wants you to retire happily, with easy access to a social network, new friends and other supports whenever you want it.
There are many spaces to explore at your leisure, to entertain yourself and to entertain your loved ones, whether that be communal vegetable garden for the green thumbs, the villages’ dedicated clubroom for trivia and crafts, or the outdoor courtyard perfect for barbecues.
A Uniting village is a perfect place to find your new home and your new forever friends.
In that community, we are Uniting People.
Book a tour by calling 1800 864 846 or go to uniting.org/retirementliving
This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Uniting.
