Shared Ownership Case Study

Sheila Wafer & Sarah Bradshaw: Naughton Fields

Sheila Wafer, 75, and her mum Sarah Bradshaw, 98, own 75% of their apartments in Naughton Fields, an over 55s development in Widnes created by Halton Housing Trust.

Sheila said: "When my husband and I decided the time had come to downsize from our family home we visited Naughton Fields and fell in love with it straight away. We knew it was the place we wanted to enjoy our retirement but I'm very close to my mum, Sarah, and after living near her all my life we both felt upset at the thought of being further apart.

"When mum came to see our new apartment she was bowled over - so much so that she put an offer in on another apartment and last November we moved in within a few days of each other.

"Moving here is the best thing we've ever done as it's allowed mum to keep her independence and with the support available I've been able to nurse my husband through a recent illness without him having go to hospital."

Sarah Bradshaw, 98, said: "I might be 99 on my next birthday but I've still got my get up and go! At Naughton Fields I see more people than I did when I lived in my bungalow and it's nice going to the Bistro for a coffee when my sons come to visit. There's always someone on hand to help here and the carers are all lovely."

Sheila and Sarah prove that shared ownership is not just a solution for first time buyers. It has allowed them to enjoy the security of owning their own homes without tying up all of their equity, meaning they can enjoy their retirements to the full!