Susan’s ‘Olympic’ determination keeps her independent after moving to a retirement village

A new lease of life was on the cards for Susan Casey, 75, when she moved to Richmond Painswick, close to the glorious ‘Cider with Rosie’ valley made famous by poet Laurie Lee in rural Gloucestershire.

Eight years ago, Susan moved to a village suite, complete with assisted living at Richmond Painswick. She takes full advantage of the wellness spa, and as well as attending the gym and taking regular classes, she has a personalised programme which includes an intense walking regime to help her build strength and mobility, which is already making a positive impact on her life. Not only has the development helped with her health and well-being, it has helped her social life, as she has made new friends both within the retirement village and in the community of Painswick.

Susan says: “When I first arrived at Richmond Painswick, I could get about with a stick. I moved into a village suite and was able to participate in many of the activities available. I then started to use a wheeler and recently, for the second time, have had to get about using a wheel chair.  But the staff in the spa are helping me to get back on my feet with an exercise plan, and I make use of the gym on the days I don’t have an exercise class. I used to ride, ice-skate and play tennis, but I now have some difficulty maintaining my balance, so I also practice tai chi within a general fitness programme. Going to the spa has really helped me feel part of the wider community, and enjoy life to the full."

Simone Clifford, fitness professional at the spa, says: “Getting her strength back has made such a huge difference to Susan,” says Simone Clifford, fitness professional at the Richmond wellness spa, “while also helping her to gain both confidence and independence, it’s been wonderful to see.  Going to the spa has quite literally got her back on her feet again.” 

Richmond Villages has been designing, building and operating its own villages for almost 20 years. The company currently operates five luxury retirement villages located in Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, with its new village at Witney, Oxfordshire now opening, and construction at Aston-on-Trent, Derbyshire already well underway.