Residents at Boambee Gardens Retirement Village in the New South Wales Coffs Harbour region have started an innovating new group that tackles the important issue of social isolation amongst seniors.
The group, named ‘Those On Their Own’ (acronym TOTO), hold monthly events within their village that offers residents living on their own the chance to build friendships and have fun with neighbours over dinner, sports, and other activities.
Boambee Gardens Sales Host & Village Admin Lexi Connor praised the group’s foresight and care for other residents, saying that the initiative is a wonderful way for singles, widows and widowers to meet new people and be a part of the community.
“The group has been running very successfully so far and Betty Wright, who helped set up the group, is an absolute dynamo!”
Now 92, Betty has lived at Boambee for over ten years and previously worked in the retirement village industry. Her knowledge of village communities and keen listening skills helped her form the foundations for what is now a bustling social program.
“One time one of the ladies said to me there were a lot of us living on our own, so we started the TOTO nights from there,” she said.
“I’ve been to villages all over the country and haven’t seen anything better than this.”
Fellow resident Jeanette Thompson has been at the village since 2013 and has enjoyed being part of the close-knit Boambee community, crediting the TOTO events as a major part of her village lifestyle.
“I go to the TOTO dinners, I’ve been teaching people how to play Rummikub, I’ve been playing croquet, and learning how to play bowls,” she said.
A 2016 Property Council census of retirement villages showed that 60% of villas in retirement villages are occupied by a single resident, and 65% of residents are female. The statistic is just another piece of proof that groups such as TOTO are vital to support and communication amongst retirement village residents.
“I really like living here. I moved here to meet other people, and that’s what I’ve done,” Jeanette said.
