Testimonials

Dorothy Knight says she is "surprisingly happy" at Strawberry Court, McCarthy & Stone's purpose-built retirement development in Tunstall Road, Sunderland.

The 90 year old had thought she never wanted to leave her bungalow in the West End of Sunderland, where she'd been living for 69 years. She said: "After all that time it was quite a wrench to leave it. But now I'm at Strawberry Court I can't fault the place. I came here in August and I feel as if I've been here for ages.

"It was my son who spotted Strawberry Court when he was up from Bath, visiting me for my 90th birthday. He's not the superstitious type but he said he'd been ‘drawn' to it. And he was right. It's almost uncanny how much I like it"

For Mrs Knight, who says she is “starting to slow down” household maintenance was the key factor in her decision to move. For Mrs Knight, who says she is “starting to slow down” household maintenance was the key factor in her decision to move.

She said: "My old bungalow had a colossal garden and although I had someone in to do the work, it's often money down the drain. At Strawberry Court I don't have to worry about anything like that - it's all done for you."

Strawberry Court is specially designed to offer a stress free lifestyle to older people. There is a resident house manger to keep an eye on the running of the development, and gardening and the upkeep of the building are taken care of by a maintenance team.

Like all the apartments at Strawberry Court, Mrs Knight's one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor is a self contained home; but residents share a lounge, a laundry room, a landscaped garden and a guest suite.

Mrs Knight said: "If you want to be private you can, but there are always people to socialise with if you feel like it.

" My son and daughter-in-law stayed in the guest suite and loved it, and I have a daughter living nearby. McCarthy & Stone offers the ideal solution as far as family are concerned, I don't believe in moving in with one's children if it can be avoided. My son and daughter-in-law stayed in the guest suite and loved it, and I have a daughter living nearby. McCarthy & Stone offers the ideal solution as far as family are concerned, I don't believe in moving in with one's children if it can be avoided.

"I am ever happy here and I couldn't wish for anything better."

Other facilities at Strawberry Court include a 24-hour Careline system and TV camera security at the main entrance, both of which are connected to each apartment.