I understand that it can be an enormous upheaval to move from a one to one relationship to communal living. I am the wife of Hugo Grin and I have been used to communal living most of my life. It’s all I have known as an adult. After Hugo died, I continued in the same community and befriended all his successors, so my life was always communal.

Rabbi David Mitchell, who I have known for years, was here on the very first day I arrived at Hammerson House and so were some of my fellow congregants. I felt as if I’d moved from home to Home! I have only been here for a few days but already I feel so happy, I couldn’t be in a nicer place. The moment you walk in the door from the Porter on reception, the Receptionist Nela to the Staff on the Households and in the dining room; the welcome is wonderful, it really is. Everyone greets you by your first name, it’s all very personal and everyone is so smiley. Paul on Reception always has a huge smile for me and I love chatting to him about India. He comes from Cochin and knows all about the Jewish life there.

Because I love drawing and painting, I was happy to find an art class on my second day. I enjoyed it enormously. And I simply loved my first shabbat with Rabbi Reuben and the delicious Shabbat dinner. We also had a wonderful exercise class and as for the salt beef dinner! That was exceptional. All of this was during my first four days! This is exactly why I chose to come here rather than a Signature Care Home. I wanted a Jewish atmosphere, and all the communal activities Hammerson has to offer. I really couldn’t be happier.