Meet Margaret, the newest resident at St Oswald’s, who once thought owning an ExtraCare property was an impossible dream. Thanks to the incredible support from the welfare benefits team, Margaret’s dream is now a reality. Here she shares how her new shared ownership property and lifestyle became attainable, what she’s most excited about in this next chapter, and why joining a retirement community has truly been a life-changing experience for her.

I’d thought for some time about living at St Oswald’s but assumed it would not be affordable.  Meeting ExtraCare’s Welfare Benefits team changed everything for me. Welfare Benefits Lead Natalie explained what financial support I was entitled to, and I couldn’t believe it at first. I felt comfortable with her immediately. She helped me apply for Attendance Allowance when I was sure I wouldn’t qualify. But to my surprise, I got the higher rate. That extra income made all the difference. Before, I was worried I’d never be able to afford St Oswald’s, but suddenly it’s not only possible, it’s affordable. I could afford to live comfortably, without having to cut back on essentials.

Natalie also explained I’d receive an additional premium on the housing benefit because of the allowance, which felt like the sun coming out. Now, I have £168 more per week to live on, and it’s been life changing.

When you boil it down, it’s simple: St Oswald’s is available and affordable. Without that first talk with Natalie, this wouldn’t have been possible for me. It was the make-or-break moment. Now, not only is it affordable, but it’s comfortably within reach. I’m not wealthy, and I never will be, but I can live without worrying about every penny.

The environment at St Oswald’s will nurture me and truly improve my life. At this stage, you don’t expect things to get better—you prepare for the decline. But it feels like someone has turned the sunshine back on for me. It’s absolutely amazing.

St Oswald’s offers a community I’ve been missing. Since retiring, I’ve felt isolated—my son lives far away, and although I have nice neighbours, it’s not the same. I used to be part of big teams, working in management roles for the NHS and local government. Losing that sense of belonging hit hard, but St Oswald’s feels like a chance to reconnect with others and be part of something meaningful again. When you lose a group of friends because of mobility it can make you feel lost and it changes everything about your life, you don’t feel part of anything anymore. I think for me that was the big thing having been at the centre of things to being on the outside of things and not feeling a valuable part of anything. St Oswald’s is going to give that back to me, and you know who I will then become? More of who I was.

I’m 76 now and I’ve worked all my life, paid in, and now I don’t feel guilty about getting financial support. ExtraCare is a charity, not just in it for profit, and I think more people need to know that support is available. It’s made all the difference to me, and it could for others too.

There are people that I know like me, sitting alone in this isolated life who could be contributing to community life, because you do have things to offer. You think you don’t, but you do.

Along with the financial support, the social activities, the sense of community—this is lifesaving. I never thought at this stage in my life I’d find something that would make me feel alive again. I moved in a few weeks ago and it feels like someone turned on the sunshine. I can’t wait to start this new chapter.