Churchill Retirement Living has given a warm welcome to its first new owners at Bond Lodge in Rainham, where a thriving community is taking shape. The first wave of over 60s have been enjoying safety and security as well as freedom and independence since moving into the collection of new apartments, which are located within easy walking distance of the town centre.
Ronald Kemp was among the first people to move into the Lodge, and he can’t speak highly enough of his new lifestyle. He says: “when I saw Bond Lodge was being built here in Rainham I decided the time was right for me to make a move. I received fantastic support from Churchill throughout the moving process, especially from my specialist downsizing adviser Karen. I brought 104 boxes with me, and thanks to her help they were all unpacked in a day! We’re already forming a nice sense of community, with regular social events like our Tuesday dinner club, weekly coffee mornings and a monthly quiz. My sister and her husband have seen the benefits of my move to Bond Lodge, so much so that they have reserved an apartment here too!”
Eileen Kerwood was another of the first to move in, commenting: “I was living in a big house nearby where I’d been on my own since my husband died 9 years ago. It was our family home and had many happy memories, but what did I want with a snooker room at my age? Now there’s a nice young family living there who can enjoy it like my children did. Moving here has been brilliant, Churchill provided lots of great help and advice, and the removal company were brilliant too. Everyone has been so helpful.”
Pauline Jackson is also finding the benefits of being in the heart of town. She says: “I love my new flat and love being here. My old house is less than a mile away, it needed work doing and the garden was too big to manage, so I’d made up my mind to move here and I was keen to get in so it’s great to finally be here.”
Lodge Manager Charlotte, who oversees the day-to-day running of the development and helps to organise the regular social activities, says: “I’ve been enjoying getting to know all the Owners and setting up events for them to enjoy. Our cheese and wine tasting event went down well, and we also had a fun time celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Our lovely Owners’ Lounge is the perfect place for people to get together and socialise as and when they want to, and of course everyone has their own apartment for peace and quiet when they choose it.”
Bond Lodge is a collection of 55 one and two bedroom apartments with integrated kitchens, beautiful large landscaped gardens, and Lodge Manager Charlotte to provide a friendly face throughout the week. Owners also benefit from a 24-hour call centre support system, a Guest Suite for family and friends to visit and a large Owners’ Lounge with a coffee bar.