SandBrook's 'Three Musketeers'

15/02/2023

Pictured (left to right): Sybil, Liz and Annette.

Every new friend is a new adventure…the start of more memories – Patrick Lindsay

In August 2022, at the age of 92, Annette moved into SandBrook. She never imagined that it would be the beginning of new friendships. After settling in for the first day, which can feel daunting, Annette quickly gravitated towards Liz and Sybil, who were also both new to SandBrook. The trio was swiftly dubbed the ‘Three Musketeers’ – a friendly term that the ladies all enjoy.

They are always seen smiling and laughing together, reminding each other of activity times and locations, escorting each other to activities, and encouraging others along the way. They visit each other in their rooms, offering support and encouragement. At Christmas time, Annette invited her new friends to her home in Burleigh for a Christmas party with her old friends.

When asked what makes a friend, Annette replied, ‘well, they are just nice, lovely ladies, and I like them’. Sybil replied, ‘it’s lovely to make a new friend – you meet a nice person, you become friendly, you get on well, and you become friends.’ Liz replied, ‘it’s when you feel a connection with a person’ – we amuse each other, and it is nice. Without them, I’d be a lost soul’.

Creating new friendships has many benefits, including reducing loneliness, social isolation, stress, and anxiety; increasing the production of all the feel-good chemicals in the brain – which has positive benefits for social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing.

These three ladies, previously strangers, now have a lovely bond of friendship that they share with others at SandBrook.

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