Roz Gearon, Resident, St Mary Magdalen Almshouses
What’s it like at St John’s? I’m one of the ‘younger older residents’; I’ve lived at Mary Magdalen for four and a half years. I have a lovely flat overlooking the river. I've lived in Winchester all of my life. As a teenager, I would sit on hot days with my feet dangling in the water and look back at the flats where I would eventually live and think that very wealthy people must live there.
I was a Nanny and would walk my charges and later my own three sons past MM down to St Cross. I joined a running group and would run by the river, ending up at the top of St Catherine’s Hill for a break (oh, to be able to do that now!).
As time went on, I found myself on my own and discovered St John’s on the Internet. I went into the office and asked for an application form. The lovely Vanessa asked if it was for a parent, a friend for life! I filled it in and brought it back. I was getting anxious because my landlord was selling my home in a month. I had an interview within a week, was shown around my flat by Vanessa and said ‘yes please’. I have never regretted saying ‘yes please’.
St John’s is a place of safety, a caring community.
Every member of staff is handpicked for their sympathetic and caring nature. The welfare staff have training days throughout the year to keep them up-to- date. My health is up and down and I’ve received a lot of encouragement and, very important to me, a lot of good humour.
The office staff keep us up-to- date with what’s going on at St John’s. They do so much that they need a page to themselves as do the welfare staff. The building and gardens are well maintained by a group of men and our lovely gardener. They do an excellent job. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many people, Clive Cook, the trustees included, who genuinely care about our well-being and safety. This, I hope, is my forever home.
It has been our joy and privilege to experience for 12 years life here at St John’s. In many ways, it’s so much better to live here than to try to tell or explain it. The care provided in each section, trustees, welfare, maintenance, office and shopping, has always been first class with a spirit of excellence. To this list we must add our wonderful gardener and her friendly dog, always on a lead, who does a great job in providing in the midst of a busy city, beautiful gardens, enhancing the lovely brick Victorian almshouses.
The accommodation is warm and cosy, very adequate for our needs; overall it does not take long to settle in and really feel ‘at home’ a welcoming place indeed. We’re a small community, each living comfortably in our own homes and experiencing independent living with amazing support as and when required.
St John’s also provides generous little annual treats such as the trustees’ outing. Founders Day, Christmas, tea parties etc. We also have many other social events and activities on a wide range of subjects. Yes, there is something for everyone if desired, but in no way is pressure placed on the residents to participate. We say ‘what better place to retire to?’
Alistair Stewart, Resident, St John’s North Almshouses
What can I say apart from wow! It is a blessing to be in St John’s. As a Christian, it reflects St John, the great man. I am privileged to have this lovely dwelling place with all facilities. The director and staff are marvellous. Sometimes I wonder how they do it. As a daily routine, I pray for all of them, for safety, health and support. I say a very big thank you to trustees, directors, welfare, maintenance, office staff and all.
Naomi Abraham, Resident, St Mary Magdalen Almshouses
I came to St John’s nearly 15 years ago. My husband had to go into a nursing home with advanced Parkinson’s; I had looked after him 24 hours a day for the last three years so was very much in need of some TLC myself which is just what I found here at St John’s, everybody was so kind and caring, the staff and residents. I felt at home straight away. I visited John in the nursing home every day for 2.5 years until he died; everyone was so supportive, like a real family. It is a wonderful place to live, so many activities going on, something for everybody.
My particular love and interest is the chapel and all that goes on there, some of which I am able to help with. I do appreciate the fact that my son, who also has Parkinson’s, has been allowed to come here to live; he lives in St John’s South, I St John’s North. I have a lovely flat looking out onto the Rose Garden. Andrew has a specially adapted flat looking out on to the Abbey Gardens. We are so blessed and feel it's a great privilege to be here.
Betty (Kathleen) Rolfe, St John’s North Almshouses
