Environmental comfort (20 participants in total)

Sydney Potter – Manchester

Aged 67, and recently widowed, Mr Sydney Potter lives in a terraced house in Moss Side. Black Caribbean in origin, Mr Potter has lived in the area for over 40 years and very much enjoys living there, “I don't fancy another area for living”. His daily activities usually involve a number of walks; the first one takes place shortly after he wakes up and before breakfast, just after 4 o’clock. After breakfast Mr Potter goes on his longest walk of the day, usually around 3 hours: “[I walk] various places, sometimes I go around Moss Side then I go into Salford”. He returns home for lunch, then in the afternoon, “I go for my next walk, go to the next town, visit my sister and do things for her”. A father of four, he has frequent contact with a son and his grandson; his other children live elsewhere in England and visit every couple of months. Although staying in most evenings, he attends weekly bible studies and meetings of the residents’ association every month. For Mr Potter the ability to remain independent is very important to him, “I like to do things for myself, put no burden on anyone”. Mr Potter reported having a very good quality of life.

Joan Schofield – Manchester

Aged 70, Mrs Joan Schofield lives in a terraced house with her husband and son. She has lived in Moss Side for over 45 years and has been witness to a number of, what she feels are, negative changes, the most significant for her is the increase in crime. At one time her wish “was to retire to Blackpool”, but feels “it's too late now”. Mrs Schofield has regular contact with her brother and a daughter; both usually visiting on the weekends. Although recently suffering from a very bad fall for which she now needs crutches, Mrs Schofield likes to go out every day for a walk and to pick up a few groceries. A resident of the area for a long time, she is always seeing people she knows, “there is always somebody who says ‘hi’ and everybody knows me … I’m a chatter person, you see”.