Adlington Life June 2025

ADLINGTON LIFE

Fact or Fiction - Let's dispel those common myths

Share a cup of tea with homeowner Pam, Mike and Honey the dog

Garden parties and scenic places to take a stroll

What to look out for this June

Blown away my misconceptions."

Homeowners' daughter, Michelle

Find out more by scanning with your smart device camera.

As we officially welcome the summer this month, and hope for warm sunny days, many of us will be watching the weather to help plan our outside activities.

Not only can the forecasts sometimes seem like fiction, tales of what it could be like living in a retirement community can blur reality. So, this month, we start a new feature to explore some of the myths and misunderstandings to help provide you with a more balanced view.

We also hear from Pam and Mike who help unpack some of the perceptions, and our sales team explain how they can help navigate your options.

If you are planning to spend more time outdoors this month, we also share tips for summer fun in the garden and ways to get your healthy steps in. Enjoy.

News

Exciting news for Yorkshire

Our upcoming project in Knaresborough has received planning approval for 61 private 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. A great achievement for the team who have worked on the project, now over to the construction team. Milestone moment Marking the commencement of construction the crane at our forthcoming community in Exeter has been erected.

Dr Ed Gladman Chief Executive Officer

Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for regular updates

and register your interest.

A cup of tea with Pam, Mike and dog Honey

A new perspective on a common misconception.

Exercise your grey matter and look out for some popular celebrations.

Meet the team

Phil Holyoak explains how recruiting the right team is key to helping customers.

Exploring Retirement living myths

Fact or fiction, you decide.

June in the garden

Tips for planning quality time outdoors.

Miles without stiles

Embrace the outdoors with accessibility-friendly walks.

Explore our locations

Whether that's discovering a community near you, somewhere further afield or relocating to be close to loved ones.

01234 988200

Wylde Green 0121 817 8680

Coffee Mornings

10.30 - 11.45

The Sidings, Lytham Wednesday 19 th June | Wednesday 17 th July

The Newells, Kempston Wednesday 12 th June | Wednesday 10 th July

The Spindles, Menston Tuesday 4 th June | Tuesday 2 nd July

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green Thursday 20 th June | Thursday 18 th July

Happy 1 st Birthday to The Spindles in Menston

In May we celebrated with homeowners and special guests as The Spindles turned one, enjoying live music and an afternoon barbecue.

Pam: I enjoy the company. I think if you moved here on your own it would be a good way to make friends.

A cup of tea with Pam, Mike and Honey the dog

When choosing The Woodlands, being pet friendly was the top priority, but Pam and Mike were also impressed with the apartments, the facilities and the community spirit.

Tell us a bit about yourselves

Pam: We had both worked at Royds Advertising Group in the 1970s, which later merged with McCann-Erickson and became the second biggest advertising agency in the UK. I worked there for four years and then lived abroad in the States and Hong Kong until 1989.

Mike: I worked at McCanns for 42 years from 1958 to 2000. My marriage had broken down in the mid 1980s, and one of my colleagues at work mentioned that Pam was back in the country and that she had lost her husband the previous year. The last time I’d seen Pam was in 1976 but I decided to call her. We met for a drink, and we’ve been together ever since.

Why did you decide to move?

Mike: We both kept our own homes. I used to go and see Pam two or three times a week in Prestbury, but it was a 15-mile trek each way. A lot of Pam’s friends and neighbours were either moving on or had passed on, and she was feeling a bit isolated.

Pam: I have a problem with my eyes and I was going to have to stop driving sooner or later and there are not many shops in Prestbury.

Mike: We started looking around at retirement living communities about 18 months to two years ago. We went to see three or four, but the majority of them didn’t take pets and one of the main requirements from both our points of view was to be able to bring Honey, our dog. I’d never had a dog before I met Pam. I loved animals but I’d never had time. We chose her together. We picked her up as a puppy from Southport. She lay on Pam’s knee all the way back. She was amazing. She was good as gold.

What were your first impressions of The Woodlands?

Mike: In general, this was head and shoulders above the other retirement communities we looked at in quality and design. It’s just superior in every way. The team who work here are very accommodating.

Pam: I liked the apartment straight away. It’s on the first

floor and it’s really close to a lift that takes you to the front door, which is good for taking Honey out. We also have a lovely view of the gardens.

What advice would you give to someone looking at retirement living properties?

Mike: I think one of the perceptions of retirement living communities is that the service charge is expensive. There’s a tendency to look at it in isolation as a charge that you didn’t pay before, but when you sit down and work out all the different services that you paid for at home, it’s actually not bad.

Pam: I had a gardener and a cleaner before I moved.

Mike: Here the service charge covers both of those and building maintenance, buildings insurance, water utilities. Obviously the whole idea of this type of independent living is the fact that you don’t have to worry about these things. You’re not picking the phone up every five minutes to organise things.

Mike: The 24-hour support you get wasn’t a huge factor for Pam in deciding to move here. I’m only a mile down the road now and if anything were to happen she’d just pick up the phone to me. That said, sometimes you can’t even wait five minutes, and in that situation it’s good to know that there’s somebody here all the time. And the team are all very nice.

What are you enjoying since you moved?

Pam: I used to play tennis about three times a week but then I got this problem with my eyes and I had to stop about 18 months ago. We regularly go for dog walks together and find it’s a good way to keep fit and to meet people in the local community. There are three or four really nice parks nearby. We like Fog Lane Park because it’s a really big one and there’s a little dog-friendly café there where you can get coffee and biscuits.

Mike: It’s unofficial but if you go down to the coffee lounge at 4.30pm you’ll usually find half a dozen people there.

Pam: I regularly meet up with my new neighbours in the coffee lounge, as a ‘member of the 4.30pm club’. We had a ‘do’ recently with a Great Gatsby theme too. We dressed up. I wore one of my dresses and sent away for gloves, beads and a headband. It was to mark the one-year anniversary of The Woodlands opening. I would definitely recommend it here.

Things to look out for this June

EUROS 2024

Germany will host EURO 2024, having been chosen to stage the 17 th UEFA European Championship. It all kicks off in Munich on Friday 14 th June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 th July.

TROOPING THE COLOUR

A cherished tradition, Trooping the Colour stands as a symbol of British heritage, captivating audiences globally. The parades will begin on Saturday, 15 th June, at 11.00am, finishing with the majestic fly-past spectacle at 1.00pm. The event is broadcast live on the BBC, allowing viewers worldwide to partake in the grandeur.

ROYAL ASCOT

Ascot, one of Britain's premier racecourses, hosts the prestigious Royal Ascot week annually. From June 18 th to June 22 nd , Berkshire's Ascot racecourse comes alive with five days of exhilarating races.

Did you know...

June is named after Juno, the ancient Roman goddess of marriage and the well-being of women.

The summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year, occurs in June. This astronomical event has been celebrated by cultures worldwide for millennia, symbolising the peak of light, warmth, and abundance.

Some cultures celebrate Midsummer's Eve in June, marking the halfway point between the spring equinox and the autumn equinox.

June is a great time for stargazing and astronomy enthusiasts. With the summer nights growing warmer and shorter, it's the perfect opportunity to observe celestial wonders like meteor showers, planetary alignments, and the dazzling Milky Way or maybe even some more of the fabulous Northern Lights.

1) Bulls get angry when they see the colour red.

2) The Great Wall of China is visible from space.

Take a break to decide which of these are fact or fiction.

Answers on page 11

3) Lightning can strike the same place twice.

4) Bats are blind.

5) The ocean produces most of the oxygen on earth.

Meet the team Phil Holyoak

Phil works with our sales teams across our communities to support customers.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

My role is to manage the sales teams that are responsible for selling apartments in our Adlington Retirement Living communities. This includes everything, from setting up the marketing suites at new retirement communities, to recruiting and training each team.

Recruiting the right people is key because our product and customers are so niche. We often recruit individuals with a customer service background, as its more important to demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence, than just hitting sales targets every month. We consider the world from our customers' perspective. It’s vital that we listen, build trust and try to understand the customer’s decision process and what’s important to them.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Our customers are so interesting. They have a lifetime’s worth of experience.

I really enjoy talking with people, and learning more about their fascinating lives.

We really get to know customers as we support them through the purchase journey. In many cases they’ve gone through the upheaval of moving out of their family home. To then see them weeks later in our coffee lounge with a new friend, socialising, the change in them is incredible. Often you meet their son or daughter, and they say ‘their parents are so happy now, compared to what they used to be’ and that’s the most rewarding part of my job.

How did you get into the role?

I’m from a hospitality background and worked in a hotel in Leicester before launching my family business, running our parents’ hotel in Llandudno. In 2009, during the quieter off season, I applied for a temporary contract as a customer services advisor at an Adlington Retirement Living community.

What are the most significant challenges in your field of work?

There are lots of pre-conceptions or misunderstandings about Independent Retirement Communities. Many people in the UK think they are an alternative to a care home, which they’re not, so education is a big part of our role in sales. I think one of the greatest challenges we face is helping customers fall in love with the concept of retirement living. By actively listening to their reservations and concerns, we can address

them effectively and help them overcome any hesitations. We demonstrate what a retirement community can offer and how it can benefit them in their lives.

Once homeowners have moved into a community, we can share the true benefits of living there by introducing other homeowners over a coffee, having lunch in the restaurant, or seeing them chatting in the lounge.

What gives you the most satisfaction?

The most enjoyable thing is meeting customers who become homeowners: seeing them happy and settled in their new homes and knowing that what we do improves each individual’s way of life. I also enjoy seeing a new sales team bond and work well together, it makes a difference for us to achieve results too. Satisfaction can come from collective success.

Beyond the Desk

What’s your favourite film or show?

I'm a big Bond fan, especially the Pierce Brosnan era, GoldenEye is one of my favourites.

What’s your favourite place you’ve travelled to?

Staying on the F1 circuit in Abu Dhabi on my 30th birthday was a highlight.

Do you support a football team?

I am a Leicester City fan. I’ve grown up supporting The Foxes.

Fact or fiction – you decide

With the increasing emergence of retirement living properties across the UK and, broadly speaking, a misunderstanding of what that actually means as a later life option, we’ve looked at some of the misconceptions to help offer a more balanced view.

Perception: Moving to a retirement community takes away your choices and independence.

Adlington communities are developed on the foundation of helping our homeowners maintain their independence for longer, by giving them greater choice as to how they want to live their lives. No longer burdened with the worries of maintaining a large home, rightsizing to a property more manageable and

thoughtfully designed can improve the quality of later life and open us up new opportunities. Whilst there are socialising spaces and activities if you want to use them, you can choose to spend time in your private apartment, just like you would a house.

Perception: OK, but surely that future independence is expensive?

At first glance, yes, it can seem expensive, however it is important to keep that in context.

Calculating the expenditure you currently spend on buildings insurance, water rates, window cleaning, gardening services, exterior maintenance and even socialising in local coffee shops, can help build that context. Those expenses are included in what’s covered in our monthly service charge, and conveniently we take

away the hassle of organising all the hard work, leaving you to enjoy more quality time.

Then, add to that, remedial work carried out to keep your property saleable. Organisations like CheckaTrade and Experian recommend 1% of the property value is invested each year.

Rightsizing to a more appropriately sized apartment also brings with it lower Council Tax and reduced energy bills.

Finally, what price would you put on complete peace of mind knowing there is an on-site team, on your doorstep 24-7, 365 days a year should you need them. Plus, not, having to leave the building for a hair appointment in winter or a therapy/beauty session, and alongside that regular activities and social events to keep you connected, preventing the isolation that so often results in later life and the opportunity to make new friends and grow your support network.

Perception: I wouldn’t be happy living in an apartment when I’ve enjoyed a larger property for most of my life.

Moving to an apartment can seem daunting, especially if you‘ve never lived in one before. However, it does come with benefits that can often outweigh the negatives.

Take a look around your home and calculate how much of the space you actually use on a daily basis. In an apartment you’ll still have a fully-fitted kitchen, a lounge, dining area, bedroom(s), storage and better still a level-access shower room and possibly an en-suite. If you want guests to stay over, you can book the Guest Suite, which is just like a hotel room. If you want to entertain guests, the on-site restaurant serves daily meals and can be booked for private dining, as can the heated summerhouse. Friends are welcome to join you in your private apartment as

they would in your current home, and they are also welcome to socialise with you in the restaurant, coffee lounge and gardens.

When considering the space you think you are giving up, it helps to frame the change as moving from a large house you are wholly responsible for, to an apartment that is more easily manageable, allowing us look after spaces across the rest of the community that you and your loved ones can freely enjoy as you choose.

And, once you’ve chosen to make the move, you will have gone through a process of decluttering, only moving what you deem needed for your new life chapter. Our moving made easy services can help you with that, so it isn't overwhelming.

Perception: Retirement apartments don’t sell, and the fees charged are high.

We want all of our homeowners to feel reassured that when it's time to sell their apartment it will be within a community that is kept at the same high standard that it was at point of initial purchase. By ringfencing a percentage of the sale value, you can feel reassured that the value of that apartment will be protected, and it will still appeal to buyers looking for a pre-loved property in their chosen community. Be careful though, not all retirement companies commit to this continual improvement.

Plus we offer a resales service through Adlington Estates.

June in the Garden

Let’s party

As the gentle warmth of summer beckons, there’s no better time to embrace the great outdoors. And what better way to celebrate the season's splendour than by hosting a get-together in the garden with family and friends.

Select a theme or colour scheme to guide your decorations and menu.

Opt for seasonal blooms and vibrant table linens to create a summery atmosphere. For added charm, incorporate string lights or lanterns.

Plan your menu

Prioritise fresh, seasonal ingredients and light, delicious dishes that complement the warm weather. Don't forget refreshing beverages like iced tea, or fruity cocktails.

Set the mood with background music and activities

Set up lawn games or a DIY flower crown making station to entertain guests of all ages. Arrange a playlist of music to raise spirits and encourage some dancing.

Plan for the weather

Add a gazebo into the mix, and you've got yourself a failsafe plan. Come rain or shine, you'll be able to carry on with your festivities, maintaining that British spirit in the event of any unexpected showers.

Elderflower Collins Cocktail

Cheers to gin. World Gin Day celebrates the juniper-infused spirit, observed annually on the second Saturday in June.

In the garden with the little ones

Children are curious beings so easy to sow seeds and fast bloomers are sure to make them smile.

Poppies and cornflowers sprout quickly and self-seed for next year, looking lovely displayed in small vases.

Watching sweet peas scale walls is a fun race, as are the nodding heads of sunflowers celebrating the tallest winner.

Local school children bring spring to The Spindles

Last month school children from Menston Primary School visited The Spindles, their local retirement living community, for some spring planting in the gardens. The children were eager to get stuck in and helped plant strawberries, sweet peas, pansies, runner beans and potatoes, under the guidance of James King, our garden designer.

50ml gin, 20ml lemon juice, 10ml caster sugar dissolved in 5ml hot water, 10ml elderflower cordial, soda water, for topping up, lemon slices

Shake the gin with the lemon juice, sugar and a dash of elderflower cordial in a cocktail shaker. Pour over rock ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a elderflower flowers and plenty of lemon slices

Get in touch

Next month we are celebrating great British festivals and we would love to hear your memories. Have you experienced Glastonbury? Is a summer festival too good resist? Do you host your own garden festivals and can give others tips and ideas?

Share your experiences by emailing photos and thoughts to magazine@adlington.co.uk and we may see you included in next month's magazine.

Please only send photos and comments if you are happy to be used in our marketing activity.

1) Fiction: Bulls are colour-blind to red. They are incited by the movement of the cape not its colour.

2) Fiction: The Great Wall of China is a remarkable act of engineering, but is not visible from space with the naked eye.

3) Fact: Lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times.

4) Fiction: While some bat species have poor eyesight, they are not blind.

5) Fact: Scientists estimate that roughly half of the oxygen production on Earth comes from the ocean.

Getting your steps in make the most of

the longer days

by

taking a walk

Search for "Miles without Stiles" to find a range of easily accessible pathways devoid of stiles, steps, or steep inclines which offer access to stunning views. Here are some of our favourites.

Dovedale, Peak district

A well-loved outing along the picturesque River Dove leading to its renowned Stepping Stones at the base of Thorpe Cloud.

Gordale Scar, Yorkshire Dales

A straightforward pathway leading to the imposing cliffs of Gordale Scar.

Ellswater, Lake district

Experience a breathtaking linear hike, encompassing lakeside meadows, and a thundering waterfall.

Homeowners across our communities have been getting their steps in too. Dr Trevor homeowner at The Sidings enjoys keeping fit, "I do two laps of The Sidings in the morning and two laps in the afternoon. I think four laps is not much short of a mile so that's the least that I do and when I think about it, I try to use the stairs as much as I can."

Choosing the right retirement community is an important decision. Why not book a private tour or join us at one of our coffee mornings? Our dedicated sales teams are ready to answer any questions you may have.

Find a home

1, 2 and 3-bedroom retirement living apartments available to buy from £120,000 to £895,000*

The Sidings, Lytham 65% sold

The Woodlands, Heaton Mersey Over 85% sold

The Spindles, Menston Full tours available

The Newells, Kempston Full tours available

The Folds, Romiley Last chance to buy Viewings by appointment only

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green

House, N