News

Retired primary assistant head teacher, ex WI president and local resident, Joan Hardwidge had always thought she might move to Richmond Villages Painswick with her husband, having watched the village grow and develop over the past 18 years.

That moment was brought forward, when Joan sadly lost her husband and required more support with her balance and mobility. She was discharged from hospital and admitted to the care home at the heart of the retirement village in December 2022.

Since arriving at Richmond Villages Painswick, Joan has been working incredibly hard in the on-site wellness spa, with personal trainers and specialists focusing on regaining her strength and balance, and ultimately her independence.

When asked how she would describe her experience at Richmond Villages. Joan commented:

“Oh it’s lovely, I’m very pleased, very pleased indeed. I can’t think of a better way of getting over a bereavement or a disability the way that I have.”

Throughout Joan’s recovery, her children have noticed the amazing progress she’s been making, commenting on how she was standing up straighter when they saw her.

“Since coming to the village post hospital discharge Joan has continued to improve in all aspects of her fitness and mobility. Her balance, posture and walking gait have all progressed as she continues to thrive more independently. This is as much a credit to Joan’s determined nature and constancy of an exercise plan her whole life as it is to the amazing team of fitness professionals that work with her on a weekly basis. Joan is proof that a continued routine of exercise later in life can still have amazing benefits especially as she is about to embark on her next chapter of moving into an assisted living apartment from our care home.” Commented Simone, Wellness Spa Manager.

The Richmond Villages ethos has always been to help our residents to maintain as much independence as possible for as long as possible, enabling them to live the most enriched lives in our communities.

If you have recently undergone surgery, suffered an injury or you’re simply considering what life could be like in a retirement village, why not try the lifestyle out for yourself with a two night Richmond Experience Stay for FREE? It’s totally free and includes all of your meals and use of our beautiful spa facilities, plus you can enjoy a flavour of what our extensive activities can bring to your quality of life.