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12th August 2009
Muir Group celebrates 20 years of sheltered housing
RESIDENTS are celebrating 20 years of independent living at a sheltered housing scheme for older people, with a garden party on Friday, August 7.
More than 170 people celebrated two decades of Tweedsmuir, a sheltered housing scheme run by Muir Group Housing Association for older people, at Vicars Cross, Chester.
Tweedsmuir residents were joined by staff and board members of Muir Group, as well as residents and staff from other Muir Group sheltered schemes across the country to enjoy food and entertainment.
Tweedsmuir scheme manager Lyn Derricutt, who has managed it for 16 years and has recently been nominated by a resident’s family member for a Champion of the Year in The Chronicle’s Your Champions awards, said: “It’s a real milestone in the history of Tweedsmuir, and it is great to see so many people benefiting from the facilities that it offers.
“It is a privilege to have such a nice scheme to run and work with the lovely people in it. There are lots of people from different walks of life and it is the residents that make it such a pleasure to work here.”
Resident of 19 years Emily Chesters, aged 88, remembers the first year anniversary of the scheme and says she wouldn’t swap her home at Tweedsmuir for anywhere.
“If I hadn’t moved to Tweedsmuir when I had to move out of my own home I don’t think I would still be here. It has allowed me to retain my independence.
“Lyn is fantastic and goes out of her way to help residents. It is lovely having friends around you all the time and it makes you feel you always have people to turn to.”
Tweedsmuir has an active social life for residents with regular bingo sessions, BBQ’s and jazz and themed evenings, as well as beautiful award-winning gardens for residents to enjoy.
Gwen Ridley, 88, who has lived at Tweedsmuir for eight years, said: “It feels like I have been here forever because of the good friends I have made.”
Dorothy Hunnisett, moved into Tweedsmuir 18 months ago from her home at Hough Green, said: “I have my own table and chair outside so I can enjoy the beautiful gardens. It’s lovely having people around me if I want company but I also have my own space so it’s not intrusive.
“I moved from own house and it is nice not having as much to worry about and being so very well looked after.”
The 40 residents at Tweedsmuir have their own flats, as well as access to communal facilities, such as laundry, lounge and gardens.
For more information on Tweedsmuir or Muir Group’s sheltered housing schemes contact Muir’s customer service team on 01928728000.
