I moved to New Oscott Village when I was 82, I had problems where I lived previously so my daughter in law called up New Oscott village and they found a place for me.

I was just 38 when I lost my partner and now I’m 85, through that loss I’ve learned a lot over the years. I’ve always been independent and sociable, I even ran a club for divorcees called The Divorce Club! A retirement village was a new concept for me when I moved in, but I wouldn’t like to be anywhere else now, everyone has got to know me.

They’ve got me into everything here alongside my fitness regime I write poems which I submit to the New Oscott Village magazine and I’m involved in line dancing and keep fit. I’m even doing an Easter bonnet hat show in a few weeks!

I have used a scooter for two years and used it originally because I had vertigo. When I moved in I wouldn’t venture out of the flat at first but then I started attending scrabble club for two hours on a Wednesday.

I wanted to leave my scooter outside of the room when I went to the club so I met Jackie and joined a keep fit class to see if she could help me. Jackie got me walking without holding on to anything and I couldn’t believe it. She said, ‘come on Betty ten sit-ups!’ and I said, ‘no way!’ but then she’d move my chair that I had to walk to a little further away. Gradually I became more able, I walked around the gym, then reception, then I asked to go to the shop. Now we’re walking all around the perimeter of the village! People keep stopping me saying I’m doing so well, it’s been absolutely lovely.

My vertigo used to be so bad, I was paying a lot of money to see someone outside the location but now with the exercises I’m doing here and yoga which I attend, I can turn over in bed without my head going funny. When I walked to the shop I told Jackie my balance felt so much better too.

I’d say the key is perseverance. Even if I don’t feel like going to the gym I go three times a week, Monday Wednesday and Friday and I go to yoga on a Tuesday morning. I’ve been going for about six months.

What used to put me off was people saying ‘be careful’ it made you worry but it’s been great, now people have seen me do it they are on about joining the gym now.

The aim now is to go on holiday with only my walker and do line dancing at a holiday camp. I go on holiday on my own a lot, I’m very independent and I’ve been to Benidorm and Devon recently. I had a room for two weeks in Benidorm, whilst there I played bingo and won all my money back! It paid for my holiday!

I’m everyone’s friend. If anyone needs anything here I’m there for them. My neighbours are good, I feel lucky, full stop. Thanks to Jackie I feel so good. Finding this community is the best thing I ever did and I only wish I’d moved in sooner. I visit my daughter every month and I say to my kids I can’t thank them enough for getting me in to New Oscott.