My name is Richard Lovell, and I am 69.

I moved into ExtraCare’s St Oswald’s Village in April 2022. Integrated Retirement Communities (IRC’s) provide housing-with-care for older people in the UK with self-contained homes, we all have our own front door, a 24/7 on-site support team and lots of communal facilities. Within our village we have an amazing hospitality team who work extremely hard to provide such services as our restaurant. We also have kitchen staff, who daily supply a wide range of tasty and well-priced fare, with wonderful waiting staff who keep the residents very happy indeed.

At the forefront of our village entertainment there is a tireless team headed by our wonderful Manager and volunteers. They provide entertainment on an almost nightly basis which is by no means an easy task.

We have onsite our own Wellbeing Advisor looking after the resident’s physical care, our own mental health professional, a well-equipped gymnasium, with a professional personal trainer.

My story isn’t typical, but it shows what a wonderful place IRC’s can be.

I arrived at my home in St Oswald’s Village in Gloucester, a shadow of a man, confined to a wheelchair, in the middle of a deep, deep depressive state and with a lot of underlying issues. My wife was also quite unwell at that time.

I was offered the services of ExtraCare who took great pains to explain how their duties would be carried out. I accepted their assistance immediately, which turned out to be the best decision I would make.

My problems ranged from deep psychosis, depression, and too much of a liking for alcohol…something my long-suffering wife had put up with for a number of years. I had never been that way until my psychosis took effect and depression cloaked my outlook on reality. It was my way out!

Over the next two and a half years through the care, attention and genuine support given to me by ExtraCare I was turned from a shell of a man into the example I am today.

Moving into St Oswald’s has transformed my life.

Since my care started I have become teetotal and am eating a good balanced diet ( under the ” supervision” of my loving wife). I take pride in my appearance again and am happy with my progress.

A sense of worth has returned to me. I no longer use a wheelchair and am in a much better frame of mind. Almost a complete turnaround in my own personal situation. This progress can be laid squarely at the door of ExtraCare and their amazing manager and exemplary staff.

They do not just administer your medicines, the caring staff offer companionship, a friendly chat, and genuine concern all done in a dignified and unobtrusive manner.

My life has completely changed and now I feel almost back to the man I once was. My progress (losing four and a half stone being a big factor in this progress) has been met with disbelief by friends and family.

Ongoing treatment is still on the cards, but through the diligence and determination of the ExtraCare administration and office staff these issues are being expedited.

I believe more older people should the option of living in one of these schemes, wherever they live and whatever their resources. I feel fully satisfied in my life today, in light of the treatment I received from the staff and carers during my time in the community.

“Would I recommend ExtraCare?”…without hesitation. I am the man I am today because of their wonderful staff and employees. I give my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care given by all the staff and volunteers who have been instrumental in my recovery and my quality time in the village.