A survey of more than 850 residents of Stockland retirement villages (now Levande villages) across metropolitan Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula found an average satisfaction rate of 8.63/10 when asked how happy they are with their social life in their village.
Krystal Wood, Village Manager at Stockland’s Ridgehaven Rise Retirement Village, says “There is a well-documented benefit of residing in a village where residents foster companionship and connection with their neighbours.”
“At Ridgehaven Rise, our residents participate in a bustling social calendar with internal activities and resident-organised outings, such as the bus trips arranged by Helen Bishop.”
Helen (pictured), as volunteer social outings coordinator at Stockland’s Ridgehaven Rise village, organises social gatherings and outings for her fellow residents.
These include regular bus trips, meals at local hotels and weekend getaways across country South Australia. Most recently, she organised a “Mega Op Shop Day”, coordinating two buses filled with 23 of her fellow residents to charity op shops across the western suburbs.
“The village buses are driven by five resident volunteers, who are very much in demand and valued for their trips to shops, hospitality venues and tourist attractions.”
Top ideas for group social activities in retirement villages
If you live in a retirement village, join the village social club. If they don’t have one, start one!
- Who doesn’t love a bargain? Organise a “mega op shop day” to browse for bargains or enjoy a window shop.
- Organise a carpool with some friends or neighbours. Start with a local outing to start with and encourage their friends to join too.
- If you have any excess food items or produce from the garden, knock on a neighbour’s door to say hello and share your goods.
- Hire a bus and plan a day trip or weekend away. Ask your friends or neighbours for suggestions of places they’d like to visit.
- Join in with as many events as you can. The more you get involved, the more people you will meet.
- Mobility issues shouldn’t impact your social life. Lunches at local hotels or bowling clubs, card nights, bingo, book clubs and knitting groups provide opportunities to socialise without too much walking.