As two of St Saviour’s newest residents, Roy and Jackie Harris, aged 68 and 70 respectively, are still finding their feet and admit that the move has led to rows, a very rare occurrence in their 47-year marriage. Says Roy, ‘We lived in the same flat for 47 years – and Jackie has never lived anywhere else – so it was a wrench. But we had to go up six flights of stairs there and whilst we can do that now, who knows what the future holds? You have to plan for your future while you still have choices. By coming here we know we’ll be well looked after and we’ve got all the facilities we need.’

It was at the their local fitness and social club, The Colombo Centre, that Jackie saw an advert for St Saviour’s Court and the couple decided to come down and see the place for themselves. ‘We came through the door and just thought, “this is gorgeous”’, says Jackie. ‘We’d worried it would be like an old people’s home, but really it’s a retirement home.’ Whilst Jackie admits she misses being in the middle of London, Roy reminds her that with a Freedom Pass they can go anywhere for free and that their new flat is within minutes of both bus stops and a train station with direct services to London Bridge.

Both still attend the Colombo Centre several times a week and plan to stay in touch with their old friends, as well as looking forward to making new ones at St Saviour’s.

Their three children Tina, Steve and Martin have given the flat their seal of approval. As well as declaring their parents would have been ‘stupid’ not to take the flat, they have also told their parents to put their names down for the future!

Says Roy, ‘It always takes time to settle somewhere new, but we know we’ve made the right decision.’