“When you arrive, simply talk to everyone.” That's the tip from Vera who, having arrived at Westbury Fields, suddenly found herself starting life on her own after the death of her husband just months after they moved in. “It's much easier than you might think,” she explains.“Meeting people is just part of life. Most days I walk round the cricket pitch and everyone says ‘hello'.”

It's how Vera met Valerie, whose move to Westbury Fields meant leaving Scotland and the people she'd lived with for more than 20 years. “I met Vera when we were walking down the road together," says Valerie. “We talked, struck up a friendship and have been good friends ever since.” Jill and Vera are croquet buddies. Although she spends a lot of her time with her husband who lives in the village care home, Jill is still keen to forge new relationships of her own. “Croquet is great way to meet people,” says Jill. “You play in groups of four, so that's three people you're going to meet straight away.”

The three friends enjoy a wide range of social activities organised by the Trust, including a fortnightly discussion group. “It's really popular,” says Valerie. “We look at newspapers and discuss current affairs with facilitator, Richard Wheeler. He's well informed and good at helping you develop ideas. And even if you're not the sort of person who likes to talk publicly, you can come and listen.”

A talented artist, with her work decorating her living room wall, Vera is a regular at the painting club. “Although I can't see as well as I'd like, I really enjoy the opportunity. I'm doing more work in black and white. It's such a lovely social group, I wouldn't miss it.”

Having become friends, the three have devised their own ways of keeping in contact. They are part of a scrabble club, popular during winter evenings, combining a drink and a chat with some devilishly competitive word play.

Having been at Westbury Fields for three years, Vera believes there are now more people that she knows than she doesn't. “I'm really happy and supported here,” she says. “When I slipped and broke my wrist earlier this year, loads of friends kept turning up to see how I was, if I needed anything or to just make a cup of tea. Valerie and Jill have been really marvellous.”