Churchill Retirement Living has welcomed its first Owners at Harington Lodge in Chichester, where a thriving community is starting to take shape. Thanks to Churchill’s charitable arm, the Churchill Foundation, they were delighted to present a cheque for £1,000 to local charity Dementia Support for their dementia services based in Sage House, Tangmere.
Dementia Support was put forward by Harington Lodge Owners and Sales Executive Karen Hills to receive the donation, through the Churchill Foundation’s Small Grants Programme.
Receiving the cheque on Tuesday 19th March, Dementia Support’s Community Events & Fundraising Lead Natalie Burchett said: “We’re extremely grateful to the Churchill Foundation and the Owners at Harington Lodge for this very generous donation. It’s less than a year since we opened Sage House, to bring local dementia services together under one roof and provide the latest support, information, advice and activities to those in our community living with dementia. Support like this is incredibly valuable to ensure we can keep enabling local people living with dementia to be fully supported throughout the whole of their journey, now and in the future.”
The Churchill Foundation was set up in 2015 to support a wide range of charitable causes all over the country. Its Small Grants Programme offers donations to smaller charities that align with at least one of its three core areas – the relief of sickness, disease and human suffering; the promotion of health amongst older people; and the support and wellbeing of the young. Anyone is welcome to apply at any time via the Foundation’s website – www.churchillfoundation.org.uk/small-grant-donations/
Harington Lodge is an age exclusive development on The Hornet, just a short walk from Chichester town centre. Among the first wave of Owners to move into their brand new one and two bedroom apartments is June Crisp. She says: “I moved here from Essex to be closer to my daughter and her family. Now they’re close at hand I can see a lot more of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My husband is in a care home nearby so I’m close to him, and I like the safety and security of my new apartment. I feel very safe here, and being on my own is not a problem as I know I’ve got other people close at hand and a Lodge Manager to keep an eye on things. My children have all said I made the right move, Chichester is a very friendly city and I’ve made some nice new friends here at Harington Lodge already.”
Local couple Ben and Avril Tyrie have also enjoyed getting to know their new neighbours. “The other Owners are all lovely,” says Avril.
It was quite emotional leaving our old house behind, but as soon as I stepped into our new apartment it made me feel so happy. Everything is brand new and it fits our needs perfectly, and the Churchill team have been absolute stars in helping our move go smoothly.” Ben adds: “Coming home to Harington Lodge I always think about the warm glow that awaits us. The Owners’ Lounge and our new apartment are always cosy and welcoming, and it brings great peace of mind for us and our family to know we’re settled in and enjoying our new lifestyle.
Debbie Stracey feels the same:
I love it here, the best thing is being able to see more of my family. After losing my husband, it was a daunting prospect having to clear out my old three bedroom house and go through the process of moving to a new apartment all on my own, but the Churchill team could not have been more helpful throughout. When I had difficulty selling my old house, Churchill’s Selling Made Easy service was the perfect solution. Churchill also arranged a special downsizing adviser, Felicity, who was superb. She helped me with the practical side of deciding what to bring and what not to bring, and a lot of the admin which I would have found quite daunting on my own. Right the way through to the Britannia removals service, every member of staff I’ve dealt with has been excellent.
Debbie has also found unexpected health benefits from living so close to the heart of town. “It’s only a ten minute walk to the high street, so it’s not worth waiting for a bus,” she says. “That’s meant I’ve actually been more active since moving here, which everyone tells me is a good thing!”
For more information on Harington Lodge, call 0800 458 1856 or click here.