Rangeford Villages has appointed Susan Martinsen as the new Village Manager at Homewood Grove, its latest integrated retirement community in Ottershaw, Chertsey.
Susan joins from a retirement village in Cranleigh where she held the position of Deputy Village Manager for 5 years. During that time, she was responsible for a number of initiatives that improved the food and beverage operation and wellness offering at the village. This experience she says, will be beneficial for her new role and in particular, for overseeing the new on-site restaurant ‘Oak and Honey’ and the ‘Revive’ wellness centre, at the heart of the village.
Speaking about her new role, Susan says she was attracted to Rangeford Villages later living model and the state-of-the-art facilities at Homewood Grove: “The village is absolutely stunning, and the wellbeing and on-site facilities are exceptional. I am really looking forward to seeing the village come alive and to building a vibrant community as more owners move in.”
One of things Susan says will be vital in her role is getting to know the owners and making sure that they feel listened to: “We want to build a really happy and thriving community and that’s all about giving our owners a voice, building relationships with them and the wider community too. I want the village to have a friendly family feel and to be a real social hub.”
Sustainability Susan says is key; “We want to work with local suppliers and businesses wherever possible; it’s so important to support the local community so that Homewood Grove becomes really well integrated and grows organically.”
Susan says retirement is no longer about hanging up your dancing shoes, in fact, she believes it’s quite the opposite; “This generation of retirees want to stay active, both physically and mentally, and for as long as possible, which is why it’s important to keep things fresh and new, with a good, varied activity and events programme.”
There are already lots of initiatives in place with the local community including supporting the local St Peter’s hospital, schools, charities, sports teams and events. There is also a whole host of community events planned at Homewood Grove with local clubs, and there’s a Summer Garden Party and a Wellbeing day in the pipeline.
Susan says she is really looking forward to building and developing the village team, so that everyone knows what a key role they have to play in making sure that Homewood Grove is a place where owners thrive and enjoy living, and a place where the local community want to spend time and be a part off, she says: “I want it to be a happy place and one that appeals to all generations, I am very excited for the future and to watch the village develop and grow.”