Meet the Chapelwood Chaps

At the beginning of the year, we travelled up to our Chapelwood community in Wilmslow, to visit a friendly group of residents who call themselves ‘The Chapelwood Chaps’.

Driving up to the secure electric gates, we were impressed by the beauty of our Chapelwood community in early Spring. Located in one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in the area, the grounds, grand Copper Beech Tree and building exterior are stunning. Once through the doors, Derek’s friendly face was waiting to greet us and introduce us to the Chaps. 

Meet Derek, Hari, Brian, David and Peter. On paper, they may not have much in common; they enjoyed contrasting careers and lived in different areas of the country throughout their lifetimes, yet now in later life, they all share a moving bond.

An Easy Transition

For many of the men, the transition to Chapelwood was spurred by the realisation that their old lives were changing. Derek, a resident of eight years, recalled that after suffering a "triple heart by-pass," he knew he had to seriously consider his living arrangements. With his health at the forefront of his decision-making, any doubt about needing a supportive environment disappeared; he recognised that being surrounded by others would be beneficial should he need extra support here and there. By choosing a friendly neighbourhood like a later living community, the weight of maintaining a large house and garden was finally taken off his shoulders, allowing him to focus on his recovery and wellbeing.

Others, like Peter and his wife, were initially skeptical; they were unsure if a purpose built community would be right for them. They hadn’t considered what later living communities would look like (assuming it wouldn’t be for them), but after reading the brochure and doing their own research, they decided to book a viewing, and after one tour, they signed the paperwork to reserve their new apartment. 

The transition to downsize and start a new life somewhere new, does require a certain level of bravery. As David shared, the prospect of moving from their four-bedroom detached house to a two bedroom apartment, meant they had to declutter! As one resident noted, "you very much have to streamline", as hard as it is at first,  you simply have to let go of the old to make room for the new.

A Lifeline in Loss

The group of friends formed naturally during the regular coffee mornings and events put on by the onsite team.  After bonding over mutual interests and day-to-day life, they started going for walks and caught up regularly.

But it was during heartbreaking loss when the value of the newly formed group of friends was needed, as they came together to support David when his wife sadly passed away. Towards the end of her life, David became a full-time carer for his wife, Judith, and the group initially stepped in to give him a few hours of respite and a place to "tell us all his troubles".

David explains, “I arranged for my wife’s carers to stay a couple of extra hours sometimes, so I could stay longer with the chaps. I have my family as support of course but they are busy with their own lives and working, so it’s nice to have friends close by to chat with on day-to-day”.

Over the passing years, other members of the group, Hari, Brian and then Derek all experienced the pain of losing their wives. “It is hard to imagine how your life will continue after losing your wife,” but this group provided support through such difficult times. Brian describes how the group were a "catalyst" - as their wives passed, the men stepped up for one another with coffee, beer, and walks. An unspoken promise between friends who all understood what they were going through, and were there to support each other. 

For Derek, whose wife Dorothy had never left his side for three years due to her health, the group was a form of therapy. "I was incredibly grateful that happened," he says of being invited into the fold. 

Living Life to the Fullest

While the chaps rallied around to support each other in their darker moments, their day-to-day life is now full of life and laughter. The "Chaps" have a busy social calendar that would exhaust someone half their age! Beyond their shared support, the group stays active through circuit training in the pool, and Tai Chi classes that many found surprisingly helpful for their mobility, “I didn’t think it would do much, I associated it with older people!” explained Derek.

Their social life often revolves around their monthly "Curry Club" at the Barinda in Wilmslow, where the men enjoy their evening discussing everything from football to insurance, within a safe, supportive space to even discuss any potential medical issues. Fridays are a particular highlight, the Chaps come together with the wider community to enjoy a fish and chip night so popular, it requires two sittings in the community’s onsite restaurant! Dinner is often followed by a lively gathering of residents in the lounge for post-dinner tipples. Not to forget the group have organised outings to the local cinema and theatre. 

Living in Chapelwood

Beyond the social perks, the chaps credit the staff for the high quality of life in this Wilmslow community. Derek notes that the "caring nature" of the team was an unexpected bonus. Whether it’s a “themed dinner that has been organised for us in the restaurant” or just a friendly face in the hallway, the staff have become part of their extended family. 

The Chaps Advice

Before departing we asked the group what their advice would be to anyone considering a move to a later living community like Chapelwood, their answer? A unanimous “do it, you won’t regret it”.

Meeting the Chapelwood Chaps was an honour - thank you for having us!

~

Meet the Chaps

Derek: A former computer systems expert whose career took him from Liverpool to Malaysia. A self-described "city boy" at heart, he initially missed the bustle of Manchester but found the Chapelwood community more than made up for it. He has lived at Chapelwood for eight years.

Hari: A retired radiologist who spent his career in Manchester and Lancaster. He moved to Chapelwood to support his wife, who was disabled, and found the community's support ‘elegant’ and essential following her passing shortly after their move.

Brian: A veteran of the food industry who moved to the area from Southern England in 1986. One of the "first batch" of residents, he has been at Chapelwood for nine years. He is a key organiser for the group and a regular at the fitness facilities.

David: A former insurance professional who won awards for his brokerage work. He was a full-time carer for his wife, Judith, for many years. The "Chaps" group originally expanded to give him much-needed respite and a place to share his troubles.

Peter: Peter is a retired banker who spent 31 years in the industry. Despite his initial skepticism about apartment living, he and his wife Margaret moved into a southeast-facing apartment eight years ago and have enjoyed every sunrise since.

If you would like to experience the Chapelwood lifestyle, please get in touch with our sales team to find out more and to book a private booking. 

Telephone: 01625 569 503

Email: [email protected]