One of the nicest things about living in a care home is the social life. As we age it becomes more difficult to get out and see people, to take part in hobbies that once meant so much, to socialise and to be part of the community.

Whilst the team here work hard to ensure that we maintain our connections with our community, we have built our own little community within Hazel End. We have a hairdressing salon, a tearoom, a cinema, we have well-kept gardens and beautiful dining areas and lounges but better than all of that, we have a home full of fun. There is lots to do and there are lots of new friends to do it with.

We all share lived experiences, we have shared passions and interests, similar music tastes, we have all grown up in and around Bishops Stortford and we never tire of hearing each other's stories.

It is wonderful to watch new friendships form and older friendships flourish and grow, we all look out for each other, and nobody is ever lonely.

The 3oth July is International Friendship Day, a day to celebrate those who lift us up, make us laugh, who dry our tears and who make life that little bit better. We had a wonderful day but then we would, we have a lot to celebrate.