Why has 79-year-old garden designer Tessa chose retirement village life – without retiring
Garden designer Tessa Hobbs is still driving to client appointments and working part-time at the age of 79. After undergoing both back add knee surgery, she wanted support without giving up independence – she found it at Ampfield Meadows, a retirement village in Chandler’s Ford.
“I wasn’t ready to stop, I wanted to stay active and keep working,” Tessa stated. “I was starting to feel lonely, and I felt I needed companionship with the knowledge that people were around – but without feeling controlled.”
After researching retirement communities online, Tessa relocated from her home in Northwich to Ampfield Meadows, drawn by the promise of an environment that balanced independence, social connection and wellbeing support. Six months on, she describes her life as a “double”: professional purpose outside the village and a vibrant community inside.
“I enjoy the freedom to go out in my car and then to come back to life here with everyone,” she says.
Ampfield Meadows offers residents a welcoming community spirit with regular social events, clubs and a wide range of on-site amenities, including a café, restaurant and a buzzing village centre, all of which supports Tessa’s wellbeing and enables her to continue her part-time design work which has been deeply transformative.
“I swim 8–9am every morning. After my operations, I was worried I might not get back to full mobility, but swimming has really helped – and it’s where I’ve met some of my closest new friends.” Tessa’s social calendar continues to expand. Soon she will be joining Ampfield’s book club, which welcomes both residents and visitors. “We’ll meet in the book room, its lovely”, she smiles. “I’m curious to see what everyone enjoys reading!”
Tessa praises not only the facilities but the people who make up the heart of Ampfield’s warm and welcoming community. “There’s always laughter and fun going on. I came here for friendship and independence- and I found both. The team are wonderful. There’s always kindness, always laughter.”
Before the move, Tessa faced a future marked by limited mobility and loneliness. Today, she’s thriving, recovering physically, professionally active and socially fulfilled. Living at Ampfield Meadows has allowed her to continue doing her garden design work. “I didn’t want to give that up because I needed a bit more support”, living at Ampfield means she doesn’t have to.
Tessa’s story highlights how retirement villages like Ampfield Meadows are redefining what later living can look like: active, social, and purposeful. Located in Chandler’s Ford, Ampfield Meadows is Hampshire’s second Inspired Village and the area’s first net zero carbon retirement village, with phase one offering 57 stylishly designed homes and future plans of development to be announced.
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