A GREAT WAY TO MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS
RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES ‘FRIENDSHIP FRIDAYS’
SENIORS joined a befriending event at a retirement development in Ickenham.
Lysander House, in High Road, has been open for two and a half years and homeowners and staff were joined by local retirees at the launch of a new befriending event – ‘Friendship Fridays,’ which has been introduced as part of a national campaign that aims to tackle loneliness the older generation.
Ickenham retirees were invited to the Retirement Living Plus development on High Road for a special afternoon tea, which provided the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the company of others in a warm and welcoming environment.
The team at Lysander House hosted its first ‘Friendship Fridays’ event following the publication of recent findings into attitudes towards loneliness in Ickenham.
McCarthy and Stone found that 63 per cent of over 65s often feel lonely – particularly when they are home alone. One in four said being lonely makes them feel invisible, while 36 per cent said being lonely makes them feel sad.
Ellen Joiner, estates manager at Lysander House, said: “The event was a great success. We were delighted to see the start of so many new-found friendships and everyone who attended had a fantastic time.
“Friendship Fridays are all about reconnecting older people with their wider community, especially those who may be feeling lonely or who are looking to find companionship. At McCarthy and Stone, we are committed to enriching the lives of older people and their families, and we know that engaging in activities they enjoy, and helping retirees to maintain their independence, is a big part of this.”
Comprising a selection of luxury one and two-bedroom Retirement Living Plus apartments, exclusively designed for people aged 70 and over, Lysander House provides everything people in Ickenham could want for an enjoyable and independent retirement.
Facilities at Lysander House include a club lounge with wifi access, beautifully landscaped gardens in which to relax; and a convenient guest suite, should homeowners have friends or relatives to stay.
Lysander House also has arestaurant serving freshly prepared meals daily; and the development is also extremely secure, with an estates manager, intruder alarm and camera entry system.
Prices range from £399,999 for a one bedroom apartment and from £450,000 for a two bedroom apartment.
McCarthy and Stone is encouraging everyone to pledge to undertake small everyday actions that could make older people feel far less isolated in their communities, and to inspire others by sharing these on social media using #takesone2019. A live pledge wall for #takesone2019 can be viewed at www. mccarthyandstone.co.uk.