A British order of Augustinian nuns faced a stark choice when their aged care home no longer met health standards: close or improvise.

Ironically, for an order sworn to poverty, they turned into property developers and opened a multi-million pound retirement village complete with swimming pool, cinema, and a sports hall.

The 235 apartment complex now funds a 60 bed, stat of the art aged care facility in 250 acres of landscaped grounds. The village has been a god send to those who want to retain their independence, while proceeds from apartment sales allows the nuns to continue caring for the sick and frail.

Peter Guggenheim, 82, and wife Peggy, 76, sold their five-bedroom Victorian home, moved into a new two-bedroom apartment and say their lives changed for the better within weeks.

‘I noticed a great improvement in my health and confidence,’ said Peter, a retired magistrate. He and his wife are now meeting friends we haven’t seen in a long time. ‘Once we made the decision to downsize, I knew where I wanted us to live,” he said.

The Augustinian tradition of hospitality will continue, as planning permission forbids the order from selling to a commercial landlord.