How June found community and independence at Abbeyfield House
Everyone living with us brings a rich story of their own, and June's story is proof of just how varied life can be before moving into an Abbeyfield house. Born in 1940, her journey took her from the open fields of Lincolnshire and a second career as a sports therapist all the way to Stockport, where she now balances a quiet home life with an active role in her local community.
June spent nearly eight decades in Lincolnshire before moving north. Growing up as one of ten children in Caistor, a historic town built around old Roman walls, she left school at fifteen to work on a chicken farm. At eighteen she married her husband, who had come over from Ireland in the 1950s to work on the farms and build the motorways, and together they raised five children.
Life was always busy, but when she reached her fifties, June wanted a new challenge and spent two years at college qualifying as a sports therapist. She ran her business from the front room of their Georgian house for over twenty years, treating local rugby players and helping people across the area manage pain. "You can help people with massage and ultrasound," she explains. "I got to go out and see people who couldn't get out of bed, and I had to get onto the bed with some of them once I could control the pain to help them do light exercises afterwards."
Five years ago, June decided to move to Stockport to be closer to her daughter. After a spell in a noisy flat, Abbeyfield House brought the peace and quiet she wanted, along with one very clear advantage. "I don't have to cook, absolutely," she says. "The food, that's what sold me."
Her flat is her favourite spot in the house. "Your room is your little haven," she explains. Having that quiet home base gives her a comfortable retreat, while leaving plenty of energy for a full schedule outside. On any given day, she might be attending choir rehearsals, going to Women's Institute meetings, watching live sport on television, or heading into town for coffee.
She also takes pride in keeping the house looking bright, looking after the plant pots outside her window and helping run a recent tombola that raised £200 for house activities. Her outlook on life remains wonderfully direct. "I'm not a sheep; I don't follow the herd," she says. "I like to be out and about, and I like people, but I don't tolerate fools. I want cheerfulness."
Speaking up on the resident panel
Joining the resident panel felt like a natural step for June, who joined because she wanted to understand how decisions are made behind the scenes and make sure residents are kept informed. "We didn't know what was going on, but if you come on the panel you can find out more," she says.
Panel meetings are a good opportunity to raise practical, everyday issues directly on behalf of others living in Abbeyfield houses. Conversations often focus on straightforward topics like improving internet speeds, making management updates clearer, and staying on top of routine maintenance like shower repairs. "I find it interesting and I have my say if there's something to say," she adds.
Having her own front door and a settled routine gives June the ideal balance, allowing her to enjoy a quiet home life while remaining an active, involved voice across the community.
Abbeyfield House in High Lane offers warm sheltered housing for older people who value their independence while enjoying the company of a friendly community. Located on Dovedale Close near Stockport town centre, the house features quiet gardens, a sunlit conservatory and comfortable communal spaces to share meals or relax with other residents. Dedicated staff take care of the everyday details, supported by a warden call alarm system for added peace of mind.
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