Lloyds Living Stories – Barbara’s Experience

After the loss of her partner, Barbara found herself seeking a fresh start. She had been living in Broomhill, Sheffield, but wanted a place of her own to start a new chapter. Buying a house, however, posed its challenges. As an older person, purchasing a home wasn’t easy. The process of securing a mortgage was daunting, and it seemed as if the odds were against her. That’s when she discovered shared ownership through Lloyds Living, offering her a more manageable path to homeownership.

Barbara’s friends in the area, who had also moved through Lloyds Living, played a pivotal role in her decision. One evening, over dinner, they shared their experience.

“You have to see the shared ownership ones,” they told her. “Number 17 is perfect. It’s on the end, and there’s space for two cars.”

Charmed by their recommendation and the community, Barbara decided to explore further. Soon, she found herself speaking with Daniel, the Property Manager at Lloyds Living, who guided her through the application process. Things seemed to be falling into place, but there was a small hurdle ahead.

Barbara’s pension didn’t initially meet the income criteria required. Though she was financially stable with savings and investments, the strict guidelines left her short of qualifying. Yet Barbara didn’t give up. She turned to Daniel, confident that he would be able to help.

Quick to find a solution, Daniel didn’t disappoint.

“Pay the rent upfront for six months,” Daniel proposed, “and we can make it work.”

It was a solution that fit perfectly with Barbara’s situation. She had the funds available and didn’t need to rely on her pension to cover the costs. With everything sorted, she secured her new home.

Daniel’s attentiveness left a lasting impression on Barbara. “He was never unsure,” she recalled. “Every question I had was answered quickly. I was never waiting for answers. He found a way around that would work for all of us.”

By January, Barbara was settled into her new home—number 17, just as her friends had suggested. She soon met Roxanne, Joseph, and Melanie, key members of the Lloyds Living team, who welcomed her warmly. As with any move, a few things needed adjusting, but Roxanne and her team were quick to assist.

“They’ve been brilliant,” Barbara shared, recalling how Joseph had once popped in after work just to help her with a tap she couldn’t figure out. “Everything they promised, they delivered.”

Melanie, who had also recently moved to the area as Lloyds Living’s new Property Manager, became a close friend. Their shared experience of settling into a new community brought them together.

“We kind of found everything together,” Melanie shared. “It’s been quite good.And the good thing about me being so close is if anything does happen, I’m literally two minutes away.”

“It’s nice, you know, when you’ve got someone that you can talk to,” Barbara added. “She’s there. You see her. It’s not like somebody in an office somewhere and you can’t get through. She’s actually in the area.”

Now, Barbara’s journey with Lloyds Living is drawing to a close as she prepares to move again, this time to be closer to her family in Derbyshire, but her time with Lloyds Living has been unforgettable.

“It’s been a really nice journey,” she reflected. “What makes Lloyds Living so special is the friendliness, the being there. It’s just that bit of confidence you need when you’re on your own. Suddenly, something that seemed a big problem to me now isn’t.”

“They take your hand, take you through it, and you come out at the other end with exactly what you wanted.”

Barbara’s story is one of friendship, support, and finding the perfect place to call home. As she moves on to the next chapter, her experience with Lloyds Living reflects our core values, helping customers put down roots and feel safe and secure in their homes.

Barbara’s journey is a testament to our dedicated team, who embody these values not only by providing quality living spaces, but by offering exceptional care and building genuine connections that truly turn a house into a home.