Ann's recipe for connection and community

In the world of retirement living, it's not just about moving into a new home - it's about finding ways to make life richer.

For 71-year-old Ann Hamilton, a recent move into McCarthy Stone’s brand-new Retirement Living development, Sydney Grange, has stirred up more than just a change of scenery.

She's discovered that the secret ingredient to truly savouring her golden years lies in the joy of sharing her passion for food with others.

After moving to Sydney Grange at the start of the year, Ann has quickly become known for her lovely homemade cakes, which she bakes for her fellow homeowners, bringing sweetness and smiles to everyone around her.

Not stopping there, Ann is now cooking up an even bigger plan - starting a 'Sunday Carvery Club' to bring the new homeowners together over hearty meals, lively conversations, and the kind of community spirit that fills the heart just as much as the stomach.

Ann said: “I really enjoy cooking and baking so when we started up our regular coffee mornings in the homeowner lounge, I thought why not bring a few cakes down for everyone.

"They went down a treat and we joked about the traybakes becoming a regular appearance for our catch-ups.”

Ann’s culinary efforts are not just about food - they’re a recipe for connection, camaraderie, and creating a sense of belonging in her new home.

Ann made the move to Sydney Grange on the hunt for a fresh start.

She continued: “I was living alone in my family 3-bedroom house, I just couldn’t deal with the upkeep anymore.

"After driving past the development being built, I booked an appointment and immediately decided to sell my house to my son and move into here.

“It was definitely worth the wait – you have everything you need right on your doorstep and everyone has been so lovely.

"We’re just looking forward to welcoming some more friendly faces to the place.

“I was already local to the area so I can go back and pop into my son’s home whenever I please and it will be nice to see him grow his family and make more memories there too.”

Located in Failsworth, Sydney Grange consists of a mix of one and two-bedroom low-maintenance retirement apartments with either private patios or Juliet balconies, exclusive to the over 60s.

A fantastic range of facilities, including a stylish communal lounge and beautiful landscape gardens, will provide plenty of opportunity to socialise and relax all year round.

For peace of mind, a House Manager is on-site during office hours to ensure everything runs smoothly, while all properties are fitted with advance security features, including a 24-hour emergency call system.

Properties at Sydney Grange are exclusively available through the McCarthy Stone’s Shared Ownership scheme in partnership with Homes England, which allows retirees to enjoy the benefits of Retirement Living without committing to the full purchase price.

For example, retirees can puy just 50% of the property value and a monthly rent on the remaining share, with one-bedroom properties available from £95,000 and two-bedroom properties from £132,500*.

Ann added: “I first heard about the shared ownership scheme when I came for my appointment with the sales team.

"I thought it was the perfect option for me, and I paid for 75% of my new home.

"It just opens so many more doors for me and allows me to have more money to spend elsewhere – like ingredients for all these cakes!”

To discover more about Retirement Living at Sydney Grange, please call 0800 882 1829 or click here

* Shared ownership prices are subject to availability.

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