RESIDENTS living in retirement communities in Poole have been coming back together with afternoon tea and music.

Homeowners at Platinum Skies properties Vista in Parkstone and Esprit in Poole town centre, have been enjoying various events including afternoon tea, a singer, barbecues, fish and chip suppers, and cheese and wine tastings.

This follows the updated government guidance which enables groups of up to six people to meet indoors and gatherings of up to 30 people to gather outdoors following months of lockdowns which required people to stay at home.

Across the over-55s independent-living communities, the events are organised to enable the homeowners to come together and socialise with their neighbours. Upcoming indoor and outdoor events arranged by the community managers will include cocktails and mocktails, barbecues, film screenings, bingo, and live music performances.

Summer parties and coach trips can also take place once government restrictions ease further.

Each Platinum Skies community has a dedicated onsite Community Manager who supports the homeowners through practical and emotional support, while boosting their wellbeing through organised events. This service will also be introduced at Platinum Skies’ latest communities in Sherborne and Taunton, where apartments are now available to purchase off-plan.

Laura Warwick, Director of Lifestyle, Wellbeing and Entertainment, said: “The easing of restrictions has meant that our fantastic communities can start to socialise again, and new homeowners can meet their neighbours in our beautiful communal spaces. Our Community Managers work with our homeowners to support events and activities including charity raffles and coffee mornings for some very personal causes, leisurely afternoon teas with lots of prosecco and some new and innovative past-times like our debating club.

"Homeowners have told me that they have met new ‘friends for life’, ‘haven’t laughed this much in ages’ and ‘socialised for the first time in 15 months’ – all in the security of their own home. I’m so proud to be part of a team that is putting back smiles on peoples faces.”

Each Platinum Skies apartment is designed with accessibility in mind, including bathrooms with step-free showers, easy-to-use kitchens with energy-saving appliances, and underfloor heating. Prices start from £105,500 for an apartment in Esprit, from £150,000 for an apartment in Vista, and from £120,000 for an apartment and from £252,500 for a cottage or house at Chapters, all based on the buyer paying 50% of the property’s full market value.

The homes are made affordable as part of a government-backed shared ownership scheme delivered in partnership with Homes England.

For more information about the homes available, visit Platinumskies.co.uk or call 01202 040996.