Travel-loving retirees in Swindon have teamed up to explore Southern England and some of its most beautiful heritage sites.
Homeowners at McCarthy Stone’s Gilbert Place Retirement Living Plus development on Lowry Way have formed a group called Gilbert’s Travellers to encourage fellow residents to get out and about and explore the hidden-gems and most popular places in their local community.
Each month the group takes a coach trip to visit a new attraction in the south of England. Whilst on a trip to the Cotswolds they had lunch in Moreton-in-Marsh and tea in Bourton-on-the-Water.
The get-togethers are gaining popularity, with plans already in place for their next trip and their sights set on a day’s festivities at Cirencester Christmas Market.
In charge of arranging the trips is Gilbert Place homeowner Josie Manners, who said: “There’s a strong sense of community at Gilbert Place and being part of Gilbert’s Travellers is just one of many ways you can experience that.
"It’s brilliant being able to visit different places whilst getting to know other homeowners better. It’s particularly important for those who struggle to get out and about on their own.
“Moving to Gilbert Place has given my husband and I a new lease of life. Freeing us of the burden of maintaining a larger home, we now have more time to do the things we love. We’ve also made lots of new friendships which we both cherish dearly.”
Elizabeth Griffin, House Manager at Gilbert Place, said: “At McCarthy Stone, we always work hard to nurture a community spirit, so it’s lovely to see the homeowners come together to do something they enjoy.
"Gilbert’s Travellers is just one example of a series of social events taking place at Gilbert Place, which have been designed to help combat loneliness and reduce isolation.”
Located on Lowry Way, Gilbert Place consists of 66 one and two-bedroom low-maintenance apartments, exclusively designed to meet the needs of the over 70s, each pairing well-appointed kitchens and bathrooms with stylish living spaces.
On-site amenities include a communal lounge, landscaped gardens and a bistro serving freshly prepared meals daily. Friends and family can also enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel-style guest suite.
Tailored domestic support packages can be arranged to meet individual needs, maximising the time available for leisure, while day-to-day operations are overseen by an Estate Manager. Secure entry systems and 24-hour emergency call points provide peace of mind for homeowners and their families.
A range of purchasing options are available at Gilbert Place to make retiring in style more accessible, such as the Shared Ownership scheme in partnership with Homes England, which allows retirees to enjoy the benefits of Retirement Living Plus without committing to the full purchase price.
For example, retirees can pay 75 percent of the property value of an apartment at the development, with one-bedroom apartments available from £210,000, and two-bedroom homes from £281,250*.
For further information about Retirement Living Plus at Gilbert Place, people can call 0800 153 3076 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/gilbert-place
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