A woman with 29 years' experience supporting older people has revealed her excitement about welcoming residents to a new retirement housing development in Crewe.

Jeanette Thayre has been appointed as manager of Matilda Court, Herbert Street, a Housing 21 development expected to open around April 2027.

She will oversee the running of the building, support residents with their day-to-day needs and help create a thriving community, with plans already in the pipeline for cheese and wine parties, afternoon teas and a welcome celebration.

Jeanette has spent almost three decades working across care, day services and retirement housing. She is now looking forward to bringing that experience to a development she believes can make a real difference to older people in Crewe.

Her career began in care before she moved into adult day services for Woking Borough Council, where she managed a day centre.

She later worked for Shaftesbury Housing Group, Hanover Housing and McCarthy Stone, gaining experience in rented and leasehold retirement housing, care and housing with support.

Jeanette moved north around six years ago to be closer to her parents, who live in the area.

After taking a job with McCarthy Stone in Nantwich, she began looking for a new challenge.

Jeanette told Nub News: "I was looking for a new challenge because I wanted to get back into retirement social housing. I feel like you can make more of a difference in that sector to people's lives.

"I saw the job advert for Matilda Court, went for it, and that's why I'm there."

She had previously worked under Housing 21 chief executive Bruce Moore at Hanover Housing and already knew the values behind the organisation.

For Jeanette, the role is about far more than managing a building. It is about making sure residents feel happy, supported and part of a community.

"I know his values and they align with mine, it's all about the residents for me, their opinions, and making sure they are happy where they live," she said.

Her day-to-day responsibilities will include managing repairs, health and safety, compliance and staff, as well as looking after residents' welfare.

That could mean helping someone make a doctor's appointment, sorting out a letter or dealing with a repair. Sometimes, it could be as simple as sitting down for a cup of tea and a chat.

Jeanette said: "The benefit of having somebody on site every day is that there is always a point of contact. We are like a one-stop shop.

"People in retirement living might need help making a doctor's appointment, sorting out a letter, or addressing a repair. Sometimes they might just feel a bit lonely and want a cup of tea and a chat.

"Having someone there all week allows us to create a vibrant community because there's time and capacity to support social events, activities, and support them with housing-related issues."

She also wants residents to remain connected to the wider community rather than feeling they must spend all their time inside the development.

Jeanette said: "It's also about linking Matilda Court to the wider community in Crewe.

"With social activities, if you go too far with it, people don't go out as much. You have to strike a fine line so people can be part of the community they live in, while also having a community where they live. You don't want it to feel institutionalised."

Jeanette believes the 47-apartment development could fill a gap in the local housing market, offering good-sized flats at social housing rents, with a maintenance programme and on-site support.

She said: "Nantwich and Crewe are closely linked, and there is a shortage in this area of the type of housing Housing 21 offers.

"It provides good-sized flats that you can rent under social housing rates with a clear maintenance programme and on-site support.

"We're offering quality housing with that little bit extra support, which helps fill that gap."

With the development expected to open around April, Jeanette is already imagining what those first few weeks will look like.

She wants residents to meet, make friends and begin building a community from the moment they move in.

"We are looking at opening around April. I'm itching to get in there, I can't wait." she said.

"I'm looking forward to having everybody move in, holding a party to get them all to meet each other, and running cheese and wine parties or afternoon teas during the move-in process.

"I'm excited to get people in and get them all sorted out."

Away from work, Jeanette enjoys gardening and growing her own vegetables. She also shares her home with Casper the dog and Leo the cat, and enjoys going to the theatre.

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