At Wellings, we talk a lot about the importance of community: what it means, how it feels, and why it matters. Social connection isn’t just a feature here; it’s the heartbeat that gives meaning to what we do. Whether it’s gathering in the atrium for a friendly chat or sharing a laugh in the clubhouse, our communities are designed to bring people together in ways that feel natural and uplifting.
If you’re thinking about making a lifestyle change, maybe moving out of a house that no longer serves you and into a new kind of freedom, you might be wondering what it’s really like to live in a carefree community like Wellings. It’s a shift, for sure. Many of our members have spent decades being the CEO of their own home. Transitioning to community living can feel unfamiliar at first. But here’s the beautiful surprise: you’re not giving anything up. You’re gaining a circle of like-minded people who genuinely care, and who want the best for you.
That’s the essence of interdependence: we still live independently, but we’re surrounded by support when we need it from our neighbours and can offer support when we want to.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to belong to a community. While it’s easy to embrace connection when it’s comfortable, the deeper value and the deeper reward comes when we stretch into empathy, when we replace judgment with kindness, and when we choose to see one another through a lens of compassion.
When I was in grade one, I had a classmate named Vicki. She wore leg braces because she had polio and moved in a way that made her stand out. We became friends, and I saw past her appearance to the kind, funny, resilient person she was. Vicki taught me something I’ve carried my whole life: when we judge based on what’s visible, we miss the heart of the human in front of us.
“Above all else, treat those in the community how you want to be treated.”– Anonymous
Here’s a gentle truth: we’re all here to take care of one another. None of us knows what tomorrow brings: a shift in health, a change in energy, or simply time passing, all of it can affect how we live day to day. That’s why living in a community like Wellings is such a gift. Independence is still deeply valued here, but not the kind that isolates. Instead, we create independence within connection. That’s what makes Wellings feel like home.
“For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other.” – Millard Fuller
So how do we nurture kindness, compassion, and empathy whether in a new community or the one we’re already in? Here are a few ideas we live by at Wellings:
- Pause before judging; practice active noticing.
Look around with kind eyes. A smile, a wave, or a simple “how’s your day?” can shift someone’s mood; even turn their whole day around. - Lead with curiosity, not assumptions.
Everyone has a story. Ask questions. Listen generously. You might be surprised by what you discover. - Make room, physically and emotionally.
Kindness is about creating space for others to be as they are, not how we expect them to be. - Remember, connection is our common ground.
We’re here not to compete or compare, but to connect. That’s what strengthens the kind of community that feels like family.
As ambassador for Wellings, I believe in the power of community: one that includes, uplifts, and honours every season of life. If you’re imagining a new chapter for yourself, one with more connection, and more freedom, you might find that Wellings is exactly where you belong. Because in the end, we’re better together; we’re not just neighbours.