Dorothy Cross

“I’ve never been happier living anywhere else,” says Dorothy Cross, one of 28 residents at the innovative St Mary’s House in Lutterworth. She has a self-contained flat at the East Midlands Housing scheme but also has support on hand as and when she needs it. Apart from the country-house style surroundings and the caring staff, it’s the companionship Dorothy finds the most fulfilling.

“It’s a lovely place to be,” says Dorothy, who moved to St Mary’s House shortly after her husband died.

“The staff really look after you well and we all stick together. We all have a cup of tea and a biscuit in the afternoon and we enjoy regular activities here as well as outings.”

Dorothy does her bit to make sure that St Mary’s is a home from home. Just before Christmas, as a result of a resident meeting, it was decided to open a small shop within the scheme. The residents decide what they want in the shop and the association liaises with a local shopkeeper to have it delivered.

Dorothy runs the shop, which opens for a few hours each day, and is helped out on occasion by fellow residents Doris Isaacs and Norah Brett, selling fresh fruit platters, sweets, crisps, biscuits and so on.