Finding Home Again: Janet’s Journey from South Africa to Elderswell

A fresh start at 84 - how Janet Power embraced village life, community, and friendship after an overseas move. 

Inspired resident, Janet Power (84) moved to Elderswell village in Bedfordshire in August 2023. Not only was it a big change for her to move into a retirement community, but she made the move from South Africa where she had been living for over five decades.

Janet said; “I decided to move to Bedfordshire, where my sister-in-law lives, after losing my husband in January 2023. We had moved to South Africa for his work when we were in our twenties and although we had many happy years there, I had always had in the back of my mind that I might want to live my later years back in the UK.”

When Janet’s husband sadly passed in January, it was at this point she decided to make that idea a reality and started looking at retirement villages that would provide an element of ‘ready-made community’.

“When I first visited Elderswell, I was immediately impressed with how light, modern and clean it was. There was a beautiful homely feel that made me think it was a place I could see myself living. The lovely gardens were an added bonus.”

So later that year, in August 2023, Janet moved into the newly completed 1-bed apartment, choosing to rent as not to use her capital. “I wanted to free up some capital to pass on to my children so didn’t want that tied up in another property in a different country to them. That’s why I chose to rent and it also meant I was able to move at the speed I needed to considering it was an overseas move.”

Since then, Janet hasn’t looked back, throwing herself into village life using the gym three times a week and regular sessions in the hydro pool. Janet said: “I’ve made so many friends since moving to Elderswell. I’m a member of the social committee and we regularly hold events such as the quiz and days out. Sometimes I wish I was ten years younger so I could get involved in even more!”

Janet also made great friends with fellow resident Maureen and they go on regular walks around Elderswell gardens and beyond. Janet said, “Living in an IRC means there’s always someone to talk to which I really don’t think I would have anywhere else.”