'This community has transformed me' - Former domestic comes full circle living happily in converted Wolverhampton hospital

It offers safe and affordable living for all residents in a complex which has transformed the 60-acre site on Wednesfield Road, formerly home to the hospital.

For Allison, it is a far cry from where she previously lived, above a newsagents in Portobello, Willenhall, where she had to access metal stairs just get into the small, one bedroomed flat.

She said: "I spent four years there and the only person I used to speak to was the shopkeeper - I felt isolated, lonely, vulnerable and the flat really was just not suitable for me."

The mother of five, who turns 64 next month,  spent time living in Dublin, Rhyl and Liverpool for family reasons but eventually came back to Wolverhampton where she worked as a domestic at the hospital for three years in the 1980s.

She was one of the first to move into the former hospital site, which closed its doors permanently in June 1997.

The Grade II listed building was transformed after a collaboration between housing association Walsall Housing Group (whg), Wolverhampton Council, Homes England and developer Morro Partnerships,

It was officially opened in May when a blue plaque was unveiled by Sir Stephen Moss, sponsored by the Royal Hospital Nurses League to celebrate the legacy and care of Wolverhampton NHS staff. Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden was also at the ceremony.

Allison said her recollection of working at the hospital - which made way for nearby New Cross - was good and she said she had gone full circle because as a child she and the family would be treated at The Royal if ill, then she was employed there and now lives under the same roof.

She said: "It's quite a remarkable story to say I visited here as a patient a few times, worked here and now I am living there but the building which was stunning in the first place has had that history and uniqueness retained."

The story of how a change of scenery and living circumstances for Allison is particularly relevant in the month of World Wellbeing Week from June 24-30 and which Allison referenced in our conversation.

She said: "Living here, I would go so far as to say, has not only given me a new lease of life but it has transformed it and my wellbeing.

"I went through a bad period when I came back to Wolverhampton and spent four years living above a shop where I just felt so alone and vulnerable, physically and mentally.

"The only person other than my children I would speak to was the shopkeeper and it was awful at times, just the climb up to get to the front door was hard because I suffer from a slight mobility issue.

"When I heard about this scheme and was accepted, I didn't realise how good it was going to be in terms of the surroundings, the support from the other residents who have become a tight-knit community to the wellbeing officer who is always there to help with queries and give advice.

"I am a Wolves fan and hadn't been to a game at Molineux for 10 years but one of the other residents managed to get tickets for a game last season and it was fantastic to go back there. We have been on trips to Trentham Gardens and others are planned.

"There are groups including a gardening one which you can choose to take part in or not and the old chapel has become a meeting room, with a separate television lounge as well - they have thought of everything.

"I am waiting for an operation to help my mobility and quite a few of the residents have mild problems health-wise but it doesn't prevent them from living their lives and the apartments are roomy, beautifully designed and affordable.

"My brother actually lives here as well and there are two couples here but mainly it is for single people over 55, working or retired and perhaps it is because of that and the fact nearly all of them are from the immediate area, Wolverhampton or Walsall in a lot of cases, that we are such a tight knit group - I love it here."