Resident Stories
Abbeyfield supports more than 7,500 older people in over 400 homes around the country. Here are some of the real stories of Abbeyfield residents, volunteers and staff.
Gillian Arthur
Meet Gillian, having volunteered for several years with Abbeyfield in Sutton, Gillian had already decided that should she need to move into supported housing, Abbeyfield would be the place for her.
Betty Bromage
Born in Kent, Pearl had a very happy life. At 17 Pearl pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. Starting work in Dartford she then moved around the country working as a general nurse, a midwife and fever nurse.
Doreen Gretton
On first glance, given her diminutive stature you would forgiven for not guessing that 102-year-old Doreen Gretton has a sideline as a keep fit instructor.
Adeline Franken
Adeline Franken, a resident of Cove House at the Abbeyfield Silverdale Society, has broken the British record for the oldest female skydiver ever after jumping out of a plane from 15,000 feet in an effort to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Ken and Doris
Ken and Doris met 74 years ago on Easter Saturday. For their first date they decided to go for a walk and tea in the park and fell in love. Four years later, Ken proposed.
Ida
At 91-years-old, our inspirational resident Ida proves that age is no barrier to continuing to do things you enjoy.
Mandeep Rehal
It’s hard not to smile when you first meet Mandeep, his enthusiasm and positive personality is infectious. And it’s because of this that Mandeep has recently won a ‘Making Time Award’ for ‘Most Support Given to a Resident’.
Peter Tyler
Aged 18 Peter was destined to study classics at Cambridge University, but with WWII continuing his path was altered.
Katie Mayfield
It was a family tie that first bought Katie to Westall House, a 21 bed care home located in the leafy West Sussex village of Horsted Keynes.
Joyce Frost
In 1942, Joyce was volunteering for the Navy, but with WWII continuing they enlisted women as WREN’s, Women’s Royal Naval Service. Soon Joyce found herself working as a codebreaker in Bletchley.
Ronald Cragg
Born to parents Elizabeth and Arthur, Ronald grew up in Preston with an older brother, billy goat, two rabbits and some fish.
Barbara Ann
We often refer to volunteers as ‘the lifeblood of Abbeyfield’ and when you meet people like Barbara, it’s easy to see why. Having volunteered with Abbeyfield for 36 years, we caught up with Barbara to find out about her role.