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Ireney Toomey has been living at Richmond Villages Letcombe Regis for seven years. We caught up with Ireney to find out more about her experiences moving into a retirement village.

When did you realise it was the right time for you to investigate a retirement village?

I was living in Highland Perthshire on a wooded rock face and believe me, the weather could be pretty dicey there with temperatures of -20. When the snow’s up over the wellies and the postman can’t get up the track with his four-wheel drive, you know it’s time to move.

What were the first steps you took in your research?

I did my research very well. I did a lot of investigation online and the family helped me. One of my daughters-in-laws knew the Richmond set up and was very keen that I had a look at this one, Letcombe Regis. I have to say, a big plus here of course is having my own front door and not living in a multi-storey block, which I think probably would be quite impersonal.

Did you have any reservations at all about living in a retirement village and how did you overcome those?

I didn’t have any reservations at all. The atmosphere here is extremely friendly and really, we all feel that we’re here for each other, so even if one’s on one’s own, you’re not going to be a stranger for very long.

How were you guided through the process with our staff?

They were very helpful when I moved here and the then-manager was extremely helpful as well. I didn’t have any problems.

What made you decide that Letcombe Regis was the right retirement village for you?

I hankered after being near to Oxford and the countryside round here, of course, is lovely. There’s an awful lot to do here.

How would you describe the experience living here?

We have a very, very good social life. In fact, every day, we could either be out at lunch or out for drinks every night. The programme here is excellent; we have a very good supper club once a month with music and now that the summer weather is here, we have bistro evenings in the Lodge Café. Really, we’re quite spoilt for choice with the programme.

What would you say is the best part of living in Richmond Villages Letcombe Regis?

I think the best part is being part of the community and there’s no feeling that one is going to be lonely and of course the security is excellent here. That’s a big comfort for family members.

What advice would you give to other people who are considering making that move?

I’d say it’s a big hurdle for anybody, especially if they’ve lived in their own house for maybe over 50 years, but it is one that’s worth taking because you’re not going to be lonely.